Collaboration will see Beachy Head lighthouse repainted
October 12, 2011 11:22 AM
Today Stephen Lloyd MP met Rear Admiral Sir Jeremy de Halpert, the Executive Chairman of Trinity House, to discuss the opportunity for a joint effort between to repaint the iconic East Sussex structure.
Trinity House is the General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales and the Channel Islands responsible for the provision of aids to navigation (for example lighthouses, buoys, radionavigation signals) to protect mariners from the dangers around these shores. It is funded by commercial vessels who pay a levy (called Light Dues) when they call in to aUKport. This money is used to fund the provision of aids to navigation.
Sir Jeremy explained, 'Every few years Trinity House undertakes a review of all its aids to navigation to ensure it is providing the service infrastructure the mariner needs. It is in this context that the user consultation process found Beachy Head lighthouse was no longer required to act as a day mark; the reason for its red and white striped appearance. As a 'user pays' organisation we were therefore unable to justify the expenditure necessary to repaint the structure.'
Stephen Lloyd, MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon, commented: 'It was a pleasure to meet Sir Jeremy this morning to be brought up to speed on their plans to facilitate the repainting of this stunning iconic lighthouse. During our discussion Sir Jeremy explained that Trinity House receives its funds from an aids to navigation levy paid by ship owners. The Lighthouse Authority is therefore unable to access ship owners' funds to repaint Beachy Head lighthouse.
'Sir Jeremy did say, however, that Trinity House was delighted to support our local campaign and the efforts of the Eastbourne Herald, Rotary AM and local resident Shirley Moth, amongst others, to raise funds for the repainting of this magnificent structure.'
Sir Jeremy further explained, 'The environment in which the lighthouse is situated can provide difficult conditions in which to access the structure, so consequently there are strict guidelines in place to ensure the safety of all personnel working on the lighthouse. Also in order to minimise the frequency in which the lighthouse needs to be repainted we use a special type of paint. With these stipulations in mind, it is essential that Trinity House manages the procurement process and the activities of the painting team to ensure a result that meets the necessary technical specifications and exacting standards.'
'From its considerable experience of painting these structures Trinity House has confirmed £40,000 will be required to pay for the repainting of the lighthouse,' said Stephen Lloyd. 'The fundraising starts now and I am delighted to have brought this whole issue to the attention of the public. I wholly support the fundraising efforts and I am confident we will find the money to ensure our stunning Beachy Head Lighthouse is repainted with the sharpest and brightest stripes imaginable'
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