Pop... city switch-on gets the go-ahead

Chichester's big Christmas lights switch-on looks set to go ahead despite shock problems which have seen hundreds of the lights fail '“ with some popping off like champagne corks.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Nov 2008, 13:26 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 17:49 BST

But visitors may have to watch out for polycarbon bulbs, looking and weighing about the same as ping-pong balls, falling on their heads.

There were fears Saturday's (November 29) ceremony might have to be deferred, and there was even an outside chance of having no festive lights at all this year after tests this week revealed the problems.

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But after considering detailed reports, the city council's finance committee agreed the ceremony should go ahead.

This was with a warning of a 'slight risk' the decision might have to be reconsidered if the problems unexpectedly worsened, and subject to further talks on health-and-safety issues.

"Because they are only the weight of a table-tennis ball, the risk is very slight, and we should proceed," said Cllr Michael Woolley.

The suppliers '“ not a local firm '“ have now replaced about 450 of the 4,000 bulbs at a cost of about 9,000.

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The suppliers said they had never experienced a problem like it before.

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