A fierce heritage battle is unfolding in the historic city of Canterbury, where plans to remove and replace its iconic Victorian cast iron lampposts have ignited strong opposition from residents and conservationists.
A City's Character Under Threat
The cathedral city, famously associated with Charles Dickens who set parts of David Copperfield there, is home to around 270 of these historic lampposts. Many were cast locally at the HM Biggleston and Sons foundry, which operated from 1835 to 1963 and supplied streetlight fittings across Britain and the world. Remarkably, replica columns were still being installed and repaired until just three years ago.
However, Kent County Council, which came under the control of Reform UK in May last year, has launched a scheme to replace the heritage lighting with cheaper, modern alternatives. The council states the decision followed safety inspections in August 2023, which found the columns had failed structural tests due to internal corrosion.
Public Outcry and Accusations of Vandalism
The proposal has been met with fierce resistance. A petition urging a rethink has garnered more than 750 signatures. Campaigners argue the lampposts are an integral part of Canterbury's fabric and history.
David Kemsley of the Alliance of Canterbury Residents Associations stated: ‘These lamp columns are as much a part of Canterbury’s story as its walls or gates. To replace them with mass-produced steel poles is cultural vandalism.’
Echoing this sentiment, Ptolemy Dean, president of The Canterbury Society, has condemned the proposed new designs as ‘clumsy and crude... banal and ugly... grotesque disfigurements’. The society insists the historic posts could be preserved with regular maintenance and repainting by Canterbury City Council.
The Council's Cost and Safety Defence
In defence of the plan, a county council spokesman emphasised that public safety must come first. They outlined the significant cost disparity: recreating moulds or refurbishing existing posts would be prohibitively expensive, with a single new cast iron column costing over £5,000.
In contrast, installing a modern steel lamppost costs about £168, with an added heritage-style decorative kit bringing the total to around £810. The council argues these kits, made from durable non-metal materials, allow for easier and safer future inspections. They also confirmed the existing ornate lanterns would be re-used to maintain the streets' character.
The spokesman concluded: ‘Our approach ensures Canterbury retains a heritage look while meeting safety standards. We have been working closely with Canterbury City Council to find a solution.’ The petition will be presented to the city council, asking authorities to treat heritage street furniture as an asset, not an inconvenience.
