Street lighting pillars installation under way
LDRSInstallation of large lighting pillars in a city's shopping street is under way after several months of delay.
Newcastle's Northumberland Street has been undergoing major works since December 2023, which include new paving, street furniture and plants.
The pillars, which stand about 50ft (15m) tall, are designed to pay homage to the poles which mark the way to Holy Island as the street was once part of the ancient route to Lindisfarne.
It had been hoped that the multi-million pound project would be finished by summer 2025, but it was pushed back amid complications blamed on the complex patchwork of utilities found beneath the road.
The pattern of newly-laid paving stones along the centre of the street was inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels tapestry, while six columns with lighting are to be installed along the length of the city centre street, Newcastle City Council said.
Other changes have included new paving stones and seating, with hopes that the revamp will be completed next month.
The council said the pillars, called Pilgrim Poles, would "create a distinctive and iconic feature on the city's most important high street".
"In the early stages, the inner structure of the poles will be visible, with the final decorative panels added once installation is complete," a spokesperson said.
