Rate payers won’t face Tinnies’ lighting bill

A PROPOSED lighting upgrade to the Tinnies will now not be funded by the local rate payer, with the Department for Communities stepping in to foot the bill through the Covid Recovery Revitalisation Program.

The upgrade, which was expected to cost between £40,000 and £60,000, will now be fully funded by the department and work is expected to be completed by the end of March.

The proposed cost of the lighting upgrade is also coming in considerably lower than anticipated.

After the upgrade was passed by council last year, there was uproar when it transpired ratepayers were expected to foot the bill.

Welcoming the development SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan explained the upgrade will allow the iconic statues to be used for special occasions in the town.

Mr McCrossan said, “We felt these upgrade costs should not be footed by the rates payer through council and pursued central Stormont funding instead.

Happy

“I’m delighted the Department for Communities agreed to fund the upgrades entirely and that work is progressing to complete by the end of March 2022. This is capital spend that cannot be used for the health service or for any other service in Strabane. I’m happy the money is being spent in the town rather than elsewhere.

“It’s important these sculptures are upgraded and maintained. We need to secure them for the future, and we need to preserve what art we have. This is a step in the right direction in this regard.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Communities explained, “Department for Communities funding of £33,169 is being used to upgrade the lighting at the Let the Dance Begin project which is being delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council using funding provided through the Covid Recovery Revitalisation programme.

“The works include the supply and installation of new LED, colour changing in-ground uplighters that can be remotely operated. The upgrades are nearing completion and it is anticipated that they will be operational by the end of March 2022.”