Town 'left in the dark' without Christmas lights

David Hennighan said costs to install the Christmas lights "quadrupled" last year

Christmas lights will not be put up along the high street of a mid Wales town this year because of a cost dispute.

Machynlleth Rotary Club, which has been responsible for putting the lights up in the Powys town for many years, said the council's fee to install them last year was too high, adding that some failed to work.

The council said it had not been approached by Machynlleth Rotary Club for a quotation for this year's installation of Christmas decorations.

David Hennighan, a member of the club and owner of Hennighan's Fish and Chip Shop, said the cost of installing and removing the Christmas lights had "quadrupled" last year.

Machynlleth Rotary Club said the council's fee to install them last year was too high

The rotary club said in a statement it had "reluctantly" decided not to provide Christmas lights in the town this year.

It added the council proposed an "unacceptably high cost of installation", adding several lamp posts "failed" to illuminate the Christmas lights last year.

The town's Christmas lights are owned by the club which says it believes they have been "a welcome feature in Machynlleth for many years".

The club said it had improved the lights in recent years after receiving a "generous donation" from a local business.

Mr Hennighan said: "We were quoted ridiculous amounts for putting the lights up and down, something that takes probably five to six hours… What they asked us to pay last year was £1600 plus VAT.

The council said it had not been approached by Machynlleth Rotary Club for a quotation for this year's installation

"In the past we've paid £400 - £500 for doing exactly the same job. It's quadrupled the cost basically."

Mr Hennighan claimed "half the lights weren't actually working" which he said was due to the "electrical conditions" inside the lamp posts to which some of the lights were connected.

He added: "Quite literally we will be left in the dark.

"You get the lights in Newtown and Welshpool and they'll have a great big switch-on, and all the other major towns in the area.

"We've got lots of shops and small businesses and sadly we're going to be left in the dark with no lights. It's not going to do much for the festive cheer I don't think."

Machynlleth's Christmas tree lights will be switched on this weekend, but there will be no lights on the high street

Machynlleth has a Christmas tree with lights which are due to be switched on at an event on 29 November, but unlike other towns in the area there are no Christmas lights along the high street this year.

Powys council said: "Machynlleth Rotary Club has not approached Powys County Council for a quotation for this year's installation of Christmas decorations.

"We have been in contact with the rotary club regarding the reported failures and advised that, as these assets are managed by the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency, any replacement of timers would require their permission.

"It is important to note that the rotary club is not obliged to use Powys County Council for the installation of decorations. They are free to appoint any suitably qualified electrical contractor, provided the contractor meets North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency's criteria and obtains the necessary approvals.

"Powys County Council remains committed to supporting local communities and ensuring that any work carried out on public assets complies with safety and regulatory standards."

North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency has been asked to comment.