Campaign group voices concern as tender sought to replace beam

Campaign group voices concern as tender sought to replace beam

5 August 2020

NEWRY, Mourne and Down Council is to be asked to arrange a meeting with the architects of planned changes at the historic St John’s Point Lighthouse.

The appeal for the local authority to make contact with the Commissioner of Irish Lights (CIL) comes after campaigners reaffirmed their determination to lobby for the retention of the lighthouse’s iconic sweeping beam and rotating mechanism.

The mechanism which turns a huge Fresnel lens, but the Dublin-based organisation has started the tendering process to remove it.

It was confirmed recently that CIL is seeking tenders from specialist companies to remove liquid mercury from St John’s Point and six other lighthouses across Ireland over the next six 

years, beginning with two on Rathlin Island.

CIL is planning to replace the current rotating mechanism at the lighthouse and replace the light with a modern, low-powered LED alternative, while retaining the existing lens.

But the Lecale Lightkeepers campaign group wants the controversial proposal scrapped and voiced concern that tender documents have been issued, despite local politicians and residents vehemently opposing any changes at St John’s Point.

It is a view shared by local councillor Dermot Curran, who says the local authority has made it clear on several occasions that it wants the current lighthouse to remain.

He confirmed that he plans to ask council officials to arrange a virtual meeting with CIL representatives to find out why the local authority had not been informed that the tendering process had commenced.

“Let there be no ambiguity on this issue,” he declared. “Local people and Newry, Mourne and Down councillors are at one on this issue. We want the existing rotating mechanism and iconic sweeping beam retained.”

CIL insists that it is planning minimal changes and aims to remove mercury from the lighthouse’s current rotating mechanism and replace it with a German-made alternative.

In addition, the organisation insists that the engineering works planned for the lighthouse will deliver a “better quality, environmentally superior solution which meets modern health and safety requirements.” 

The organisation — which is responsible for maritime safety around the coast of Ireland — argues that it is simply removing mercury out of the rotating lens system at St John’s Point and putting in an innovative mechanical bearing solution. 

According to the tender documents, CIL wants to replace the existing beam with a more environmentally friendly LED light, maintaining that it can do this while retaining the traditional lens.

CIL says mercury is a toxic substance, even though it has been used to rotate large revolving lenses since the 1800s.

And while pointing to many years of reliable service, the organisation says there is increasing European and international legislation restricting the use, storage and transport of mercury.

Cllr Curran said the Commissioners have confirmed that there is no immediate statutory requirement to remove mercury from lighthouses, with the liquid only removed during re-engineering capital projects.

“Councillors have met with CIL officials on several occasions to discuss St John’s Point lighthouse and have been consistent in calling for no changes to the current set up.”

“I am concerned that tender documents have been issued and, as far as I am aware, the local council has not been officially informed. That is why we need to meet with CIL officials as soon as possible.”

Cllr Curran said a meeting was needed with CIL to provide it with an opportunity to explain why it was “effectively ignoring the wishes of politicians and the local community and pressing ahead with changes to the lighthouse”.