(Image: Durham County Council)
A new lighting scheme designed to transform Bishop Auckland Market Place for events and special occasions has been completed.
Durham County Council has installed 18 wirelessly controlled lighting columns around the Market Place, allowing the area to switch from everyday lighting to colourful displays for festivals, celebrations and community events.
The scheme also includes 12 new uplighters illuminating St Anne's Church.
The new infrastructure replaces the previous lighting network in the town centre, including the distinctive lamp posts nicknamed the 'Triffids', which were removed after the council said they had become unreliable and required significant maintenance.
The Triffids had been in place for 16 years before replacement plans were announced.
Graham Wood, Durham County Council's economic development manager, said: "We are pleased to see the completion of the new lighting scheme in Bishop Auckland.
"These 18 new, wirelessly controlled lights have replaced the lighting infrastructure that was already present in the Market Place and provide improved visibility and safety.
"Along with these, we also installed 12 new uplighters to illuminate St Anne's Church.
New infrastructure means we can also utilise these to create vibrant, colourful displays during events and special occasions.
"This scheme demonstrates our ongoing commitment to bring regeneration to the town, along with the recent completion of its new bus station, providing up-to-date facilities for residents.
"The leisure centre programme also remains on track with good progress in the construction of the new building.
We will continue to work with other members of the Bishop Auckland Stronger Town Board to explore continued investment across the town."
The council said the project had been funded through the Bishop Auckland Stronger Town Board and would support the growing programme of events and activities held in the Market Place.
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When replacement plans for the Triffids were unveiled, Durham County Council said the new lights would include changeable colours to help make the Market Place a more flexible and welcoming space for residents and visitors.
The Northern Echo understands the completed scheme cost around £400,000.
With the upgraded lighting now in place, the Market Place will be able to host a range of illuminated displays throughout the year while also providing improved day-to-day visibility in the town centre.