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Christmas lights overcome winter weather to shine bright once more

The Granite City’s Christmas lights were set to be switched back on today following the recent severe winter weather.

Two strings of Christmas lights were removed from the Union Street festive display for safety reasons over the weekend and a third came down due to the extremely high winds which hit the city last Thursday.

The lights were switched off while the remaining strings were all being inspected by council staff. Following completion of their checks the lights will be switched back on today.

Lord Provost Peter Stephen, who led the switch on parade through the city’s main thoroughfare on 20 November, said: “Full credit to the council’s team of engineers for working tirelessly to ensure the light display is safe, secure and ready to be switched back on.

“The Christmas lights are much loved by residents in the Granite City with this year’s display proving particularly popular. I’m sure residents will share my delight in seeing Union Street lit up again.”

Staff will inspect the structures and fittings again on Wednesday (14 December) and will continue to do so on a regular basis throughout the remainder of the festive season.

The lights removed as a result of the weather were between Back Wynd and Belmont Street, outside Peacocks, and the display at the Union Street/Union Terrace junction beside the Monkey House.

The lights were removed because of structural concerns about the buildings they were attached to. A string of lights further up Union Street, near Langstane Place, came down during last Thursday’s storm when the masonry it was attached to came unlodged.

The lights removed will not be put back up this year. The council will look at installing new support systems for future years.

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