A MONTROSE park’s much-maligned set of decorative lights will cost £40,000 to replace, it has been revealed.

The park’s saltire-themed system of 72 blue uplighters was installed just three-and-a-half years ago as part of a £150,000 upgrade.

But the feature has been plagued by faults which have repeatedly plunged it into darkness.

After repeated attempts to fix the lights, the council looks set to rip them out and start again.

The plan is to install lanterns in their place after the estimated cost of rectifying the current problems was put at more than £50,000, once the cost of existing repair work was added.

In a report to go before the council’s neighbourhood services committee later today, councillors will be asked to set the ball rolling on plans for the lights’ replacement.

It revealed “poor installation” and the “slightly unusual” layout of the system were behind the problems.

The council also plans to “pursue action” against the contractors responsible for the installation of the lights.

In his report, neighbourhood services director Ron Ashton, said, “The style of luminaries (used in the park) have been used extensively across the UK and we are not aware of any problems with them when installed in paving.

“However, the method of installation at Jamieson Park is slightly unusual since they are located at the edge of a path, close to grass and subjected to surface water run-off in some areas.

“A survey determined that the main cause of failure is poor installation and cable connection method, allowing moisture to track up the cable joints.

“This condition is accelerated when the luminaries are submerged in surface water, and the daily heating and cooling of the luminaries’ interior as the lights are switched on and off results in evaporation and condensation—leading to the consequent failure due to corrosion on the printed circuit boards,” he added.

Mr Ashton also said the survey revealed many of the lights in the system were “fit for purpose,” but several were repeatedly failing.

He added that the cost of permanently repairing them would be more than £46,000, and repairs to date have cost the council more than £4000.

Instead he has recommended the lights be completely replaced with “more reliable” ones.

“It is proposed that in order to provide a permanent solution that the existing luminaries are removed and a new dependable and aesthetically attractive lighting scheme is installed,” he continued.

“This would comprise of a number of new lanterns on lighting columns which would be sympathetic and complementary in design to the park environment.”