Lighting up Lurgan

Plans were approved for the council to spend almost 37,000 on a new set of decorations for the town. The previous set, it was said, are not suitable for the town following the completion of the public realm works.

Queen Street, High Street, Market Street, Windsor Avenue, Union Street, Church Place, Edward Street, William Street and North Street will all be given a new festive glow this Christmas.

Mysteriously the council also said it was to spend 4,700 in 'Main Street' Lurgan in the Monday meeting's papers, however, this anomaly was not raised by councillors.

A council spokeswoman told the 'MAIL' this referred to the area at the top of the junction with Market Street and High Street and needed separate approval.

Councillor Mary McAlinden said the blue lights that had adorned the town in previous years were a 'disaster' and she welcomed the announcement, however, she did query why the expense was not considered earlier for the rates estimate group.

Mairead O'Dowd also queried the expense, she said: "We knew the lights would not be suitable after the public realm works and Christmas comes around the same time every year. So we should ask why this was not considered earlier.

"And it also doesn't make sense that the SDLP are bringing up issues regarding the rates estimates group as it is a committee they don't attend and have never attended in my experience."

Councillor George Savage also welcomed the new lights, however, he said the decision showed 'inequality'.

He said: "Where are the lights for the rural areas, we have still not got trees for the likes of Donaghcloney - where is the equality in that?"

Alderman Sydney Anderson added: "The council has taken a lot of criticism from the press - and I would hope they remember the good we do for the two towns - it has been said the council does not do enough recently.

"I would also urge councillors to fight for their rural areas to get festive lights."