Hartland Lighthouse on the North Devon Coast has been saved from closure

following representations to Trinity House by local residents and Prospective MP

Adam Symons.

The Lighthouse, constructed in 1874 to make the seas around

Lundy and North Devon safer, had been earmarked for closure by Trinity House,

the organisation that governs lighthouses throughout the UK.

Hartland Point Lighthouse, which is perched on

a prominent

outcrop facing the Atlantic Ocean, guides vessels of all types

approaching the Bristol Channel. It was built by Trinity House in 1874

under the direction of Sir James Douglass.

Adam Symons, who is also the local councillor for Hartland, said: “Hartland

Point Lighthouse is perhaps one of the best known landmarks in North Devon. Trinity House had stated that new shipping

navigational devices have made it obsolete. However, many local residents and I

believe it plays a vital role in keeping shipping safe on this treacherous

stretch of coastline. We made our views known to Trinity House.”

“I am delighted to report that Trinity House has reversed

their plans to shut the lighthouse, and instead will be installing a new light

with an eight nautical mile range, and will discontinue the fog signal. I am

very pleased that our campaign to stop the closure has been successful. This is

an iconic building which provides safety and security for many smaller fishing

vessels from around the coast.”

Nick Dodson, the Navigation Manager for Trinity House said: “We

have now considered all the responses that were received and, where

appropriate, the original proposals have been amended after careful assessment

of the navigational requirements. Discussions will be commenced shortly with

the appropriate local lighthouse authority in respect of the transfer of those

aids to navigation which it is considered are no longer necessary for general

(rather than local) navigation.”