Barnard Castle Soon To Be Illuminated
20/10/2009
Barnard Castle will once more be illuminated when installation is completed on a new floodlighting scheme brought about by Barnard Castle Vision and Barnard Castle Town Council in partnership with English Heritage and Durham County Council.
Following the removal of the aged ground-based lighting system around the base of the castle, the new lights, provided by Urbis, will be mounted on street lighting columns along the pathway from Scar Top to the County Bridge. Each floodlight will be highly energy-efficient and very low maintenance, made up of 36 number one watt LEDs. Being LED-based, the lights will also be controllable in both direction and colour.
The installation work by ServiceDirect, including the updating of existing street lighting columns, is due to commence at the end of October, with the floodlights themselves being installed at the end of November.
“The new lighting scheme is a marvellous development for the town,” says Geoff Bosworth, Barnard Castle’s Town Clerk. “Instead of this major heritage landmark being recently shrouded in darkness, the castle will form a stunning backdrop for visitors and locals approaching the town over the river during the evening hours.”
The castle will be bathed in subtle light during the early hours of darkness in the winter and throughout the evening. However in order to save electricity, the lights will be switched off during the small hours each night. The maintenance costs will be met by the Town Council.
On special occasions, the lights can also be used to provide special effect colour washes, turning the castle anything from spooky green to warm red as required.
