Why the Market Cross needs £17,000 of news lights less than two years after officials spent £11,000 on illuminating the monument

A SURVEY on the Market Cross has recommended more than £17,000 worth of new lighting – less than two years after specialist floodlights were installed costing more than £11,000.

The study on the grade I-listed structure was carried out by surveyors for Durham County Council.
They found the existing LED lighting at the Barnard Castle monument did not “showcase” the architectural features of the structure and needed “more focussed and even distribution”.
But Barnard Castle Town Council’s Roger Peat has questioned the logic behind the findings given new external floodlights were installed just 18 months ago with the county council’s help.
He said: “The county council got a surveyor in and said there was one particular system they would recommend.
“It was a case of the town council getting funding – we had a £6,000 grant through TAP and £5,614 through a private donation.
“Within a year or so, the new report comes out saying it needs replacing which is rather disappointing.
“I can see what they mean in that there are darker patches but I assumed that was done so the light did not go in drivers’ eyes – I thought there were limitations in what could be achieved.”
The original lighting scheme agreed by Barnard Castle Town Council in November 2015, was carried out through the county council’s approved lighting supplier, and eventually finished that year.
Dark spots on the bell turret of the building were highlighted as needing attention by the report.
It also revealed that repairs to all the lighting at the Market Cross, including its internal system, would cost £17,650.
However, the report found the Market Cross was in a “generally in a good condition” given its age and location.
It said £13,100 of “immediate repairs” were needed, alongside £7,000 for continued “investigations and monitoring” of the site with £57,200 required for repairs in the next two years.
In all, £115,000 needs to be spent on the Market Cross including the lighting.
Mr Peat added: “It was quite encouraging to see it was in a good condition but it needs £13,100 spending on it and £7,000 just to maintain it which seems a lot of money.
“They are talking about £17,650 of lighting which given £11,614 plus VAT has already been spent on it, it now seems good value for money – particularly given that you are getting new lighting inside the building.”
The report added there was a “lack of evidence of timely repair and maintenance” at the site as well as impact damage from passing vehicles.
Some of the blame was laid at the feet of “inappropriate cement mortars” used in some of the joints as well as general wear and tear.
It added: “A solution would be the introduction of a traffic light system that would allow for a pedestrian crossing from a revised road island in the market place.
“For the building to be used for any commercial use it would be necessary to provide toilet and welfare facilities.”
The specialist survey was funded by a £10,000 grant from Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP).
Chris Myers, from the county council’s regeneration project team, told the TAP board the existing lighting “did not act as a good marker”.
Mr Myers said: “The county council capital programme will fund repairs for the next two years.
“Hopefully the repair works will be completed in time for summer 2019 which will enable the town to benefit from the building being in a better state of repair.”
A 3D computer model of the Market Cross was also produced as part of the report.
But Mr Peat spotted a couple of omissions.
He added: “It did not mention seating – it would be nice if seating was improved because some of them are looking tatty.
“They could be done through the town council’s Bench Memorial Scheme.
“The bell pull needs a bit more work doing – the last time it was rung someone had to climb into the loft.”