Two Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough councillors have requested confirmation that a Portadown street will be lit up for Christmas this year.
Despite the fact Christmas lights are unlikely to be erected in the Borough’s towns and City for another nine months, Councillors Paul Duffy and Thomas O’Hanlon are keen to ensure Woodhouse Street does not miss out this year.
Speaking at a meeting of Council’s economic development and regeneration committee in December, Councillor Duffy asked Council to erect Christmas lights on what he described as the “main pedestrian walkway” to the town’s train station.
At the time, the request was supported by the committee’s vice chair, Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon, and members were assured it would be passed on to the person responsible for lights – Council’s head of environmental services, Barry Patience.
Speaking at March’s meeting of the same committee Councillor Duffy said it was “unfortunate” that Council could not fulfil his request last year but hoped they would be able to this year.
Council’s head of regeneration, Therese Rafferty, told members Council she was unable, at that stage, to source lights but assured members the technical service team are looking at that request.
Councillor O’Hanlon told the chamber the issue concerned a lack of connectors on the street light poles on Woodhouse Street.
“I think the issue was the connectors were not on those particular poles,” said Councillor O’Hanlon.
“I would just like to have confirmation provided next month that these connectors are in place, or will be in place, in time for this year.”
