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Holyrood mends light bulbs for £1.75m

There were worries that the current lighting system at Holyrood could result in a major disruption to parliamentary business
There were worries that the current lighting system at Holyrood could result in a major disruption to parliamentary business
ADAM ELDER GETTY IMAGES

The debating chamber at the Scottish parliament is to have new lights costing £1.75 million.

Officials at Holyrood said all options had been examined to fix the “failing lighting system” and it was concluded that replacement was the best solution with the costs being spread over two years.

The fittings are more than 12 years old and the original supplier no longer manufactures or supports the design. The corporate body responsible for the Holyrood building believed there was a real risk of “major disruption” to parliamentary business if nothing was done to the current system, which uses the outdated metal halide technology.

The new design will have a 25-year lifespan, will include contractual requirements to support its running over that period and save £350,000 over the 25 years, the corporate body said. There would be a significant reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

A Scottish parliament spokesman said: “The lighting technology in the chamber is beginning to fail and needs to be replaced as it poses an increasing risk to parliamentary business.

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“All options have been explored and our decision follows careful and thorough consideration. We anticipate running cost savings of around £350,000 over the lifespan of the system.” The cost will be met from existing resources.