A NEW lighting system has been fitted to the Tower of Refuge.

This scheme completes an extensive programme of work to the historic landmark.

Since the Department of Infrastructure (then known as the Department of Transport) took ownership of the Tower of Refuge in 2006 repairs has been carried out to ensure the structural integrity of it.

These have included repointing both internal and external walls, replacing missing sections of masonry and the installation of a new electric supply cable. The final stage included the installation of the new lighting system to illuminate the tower.

The new lighting scheme fully illuminates the building. Lighting would usually be placed away from the base of a building to illuminate it most effectively, however as the tower is surrounded by water at high tide a different approach was needed and the lighting had be to attached to the tower itself.

 
The department said the impact of the light fittings has been kept to a minimum and  low energy consumption bronze LED fittings have been used which means that the structure can be illuminated in different colours and it provides the potential for display lighting if required.

For this year’s TT the Tower was illuminated green at the end of the week to help encourage potential major sponsorship of the event.

Minister for Infrastructure Phil Gawne MHK said: "I am satisfied with the quality, style and type of illumination that has been chosen for the Tower of Refuge and pleased that this marks the end of the successful major works to the tower. The tower forms an important part of the Isle of Man’s heritage and the illumination helps to highlight the building and gives it the prominence it deserves in Douglas Bay."