Cyprus Avenue lighting breakthrough

12.00.00am GMT Tue 8th Mar 2005

EAST Belfast (Pottinger) Alliance representative and local resident, Maire Hendron, has welcomed news from Roads Service, detailing changes to the new street-lighting for Cyprus Avenue, to make them more in keeping with the character of the local area.

Alliance representatives had worked with residents to lobby for the changes, after the erection of modern metal street lights in the Cyprus Avenue Conservation Area.

Maire Hendron said: "We were understandably concerned when we saw the new lamp posts being installed as they looked so out of place in this Conservation Area. I am delighted that Roads Service has taken on board our concerns.

"Following consultation, they have agreed to acknowledge that this is a conservation area and are planning reduce the height of the lamp posts, fit ornamental period-style lanterns and paint the finished posts black.

"If we are to protect our built heritage for the future it requires the cooperation not just of residents and planners, but also of statutory agencies."