The Famous Wyche Dragon

The Gas Lamp  debate 

A MALVERN Wells parish councillor wants to see the area’s historic gas lamps extinguished after concerns about their cost.

Barrie Knibb believes £29,000 per year for the gas and maintenance of the Wells’ 48 lamps make them an expensive burden on council tax payers.

He said: “It’s totally inadequate lighting, costing an astronomical amount. One of my suggestions is to keep them in pristine condition but do not turn them on. Let the highways department take responsibility for illuminating the roads.”

The lamps, some of which date back 150-years and are listed by English Heritage, are a well known draw for tourists and are often referred to as the inspiration behind lamps in C S Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Read more: Gas Lamps