Work is due to start on the new Weymouth seafront lighting scheme on Monday 16 September.
Dorset Council engineers are working with contractors; A.C Special Projects Ltd and Intratest Ltd to install 28 Computer-controlled LED strips to lampposts along the promenade between the Pier Bandstand and the Pavilion.
Created to provide a welcoming atmosphere for evening strollers and improve views towards Weymouth Bay, the design is based upon the aspirations of the local community. The LED strips can be programmed to be strikingly modern, gently muted, or twinkly and reminiscent of catenary lights, depending on events. Different programmes can run at different times of the evening, or at different times of the year.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “Following a lengthy consultation period, we are delighted that installation is due to start on the new lighting scheme. We’ve taken the community’s opinions and concerns into consideration and are confident that the new design will transform Weymouth Promenade”.
The final cost of the project is £265,000. Following approval of its contribution by Weymouth Town Council on 26th June 2019, this cost is met through the following funding: £200,000 CCF original grant, £50,000 Dorset Council, £5,000 Dorset Coast Forum, £5,000 Weymouth BID and £5,000 Weymouth Town Council. Following completion of the project, the lights will be owned, operated and maintained by Weymouth Town Council.
The Weymouth Promenade Artistic Lighting Scheme is part of Dorset Coastal Connections, a portfolio of 18 connected projects which aim to improve physical, digital and emotional connections to the coast in Dorset, supporting and growing the local economy. The Dorset Coastal Connections team have engaged extensively with the Weymouth community, appointing Bounce Back Arts as local artistic lead to develop the brief and provide local stakeholder knowledge and have taken all feedback into account to help build the lighting design with designers Tonkin Liu.
Dorset Coastal Connections is a partnership portfolio supported by the Coastal Communities Fund.
