Town’s festive lights project extension plan (From Ilkley Gazette)

Town’s festive lights project extension plan

10:03am Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Jonathan Redhead

Almost £40,000 will be spent on decorative lighting to improve a town centre.

Following on from a raft of positive feedback received from a scheme to install all-year round ‘Christmas’ lights along The Grove in Ilkley, the parish council has now agreed to put £29,100 towards extending the project.

More decorative lights will now be put up in Brook Street, Station Plaza and around the town’s main car park in South Hawksworth Street.

Meanwhile, the town’s three Bradford Council ward members – Mike Gibbons, Anne Hawkesworth and Martin Smith – will also allocate a total of £9,000 to provide lighting along Mill Ghyll.

The whole scheme is being led by Councillor Rory Marshall, and will be called Jubilee Lighting to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Speaking at an Ilkley Parish Council meeting on Monday, Coun Marshall said the white lights added to trees in The Grove have boosted Ilkley.

“I think we have enjoyed a really great feel-good factor,” he said.

“I feel the parish council will get great approval if we extend the scheme.

“I think it’s creating some good momentum, and it’s about the experience you’re giving to people when they come to the town.”

Coun Marshall said with all the lighting proposed, which could last up to six years before needing replacement bulbs, it would only cost £3 per week in electricity bills. He encouraged the ward councillors to back his scheme with their money.

Coun Marshall was highly-praised by fellow councillors for his efforts to date.

Coun Gibbons said the project was “fantastic”, while Coun Andrew Walbank said it would be a “great idea” to extend the scheme.

The parish council unanimously voted to extend the lights by spending the £29,100 from its reserves.

The £9,000 initially allocated for the lights in The Grove from the Christmas budget will be covered by the new money. Original funds will now be spent on extra festive lighting this year.

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