MSP calls to restore 1920s lampposts on Queen Margaret Bridge
The ornate Edwardian bases were replaced with galvanised steel poles due to significant structural deterioration
Glasgow City Council is facing backlash for replacing Edwardian lamppost bases on Queen Margaret Bridge with galvanised steel posts.
The bridge, which passes over the River Kelvin in Glasgow's west end, was built in 1929 and the structure has been category B-listed for culture since 1987.
'Missing' posters have been spotted in the area, featuring a picture of the former bases after they were removed last week.
Glasgow City Council says the lighting columns were removed as a matter of urgency due to significant structural deterioration, with the decorative bases kept for future uses.
However, MSP Paul Sweeney is branding the move to replace the structures with steel poles as "lazy" in maintaining the city's built heritage.
'Destruction of built heritage'
He said: "It was genuinely exasperating to cross over the bridge last night and see that the beautiful 1920s cast iron lampposts had been ripped out and replaced with basic, utilitarian galvanised steel lampposts.
"That bridge is category B-listed, and those lamps were from the original construction of the bridge and they should not have been removed - I want to see if they can be put back as soon as possible to uphold the listing of the bridge.
"It's symptomatic of the causal destruction of the city's built heritage.
"Other cities around the UK and further afield value these things - Edinburgh, Dublin, London all preserve historic lampposts.
"We need a wider heritage lighting strategy for Glasgow."
Glasgow City Council response
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “An inspection of the lighting columns along Queen Margaret Drive found two with significant deterioration within their structures, which was not apparent from viewing the exterior of the decorative bases.
“To protect public safety, the older columns were removed as a matter of urgency and to ensure suitable street lighting remains in place, new lighting columns have been installed.
“We fully understand the enjoyment that residents take from the city’s built heritage and so the two decorative bases have been retained with a view to possible, future use.
“The decorative bases require to be refurbished and we will look carefully at how this might be achieved within existing resources.”
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