March 7, 2019 10.27 am This story is over 60 months old

Lincoln Cathedral plunged into darkness as new floodlights are fitted

New eco-friendly floodlights will be gradually installed
Readjusting to Cathedral darkness. Photo: Gary Collis

The iconic Lincoln Cathedral disappeared from the night sky last night, and it will remain so until later this year.

As first reported last week, new eco-friendly floodlights will be gradually installed around the cathedral over the next nine months. This started on Wednesday, March 6.

The existing floodlights will be disconnected and progressively removed. However, it should not affect the street lighting that currently surrounds Lincoln’s iconic building.

Over 500 LED lights will replace the current orange-tinted floodlights which were installed in 1972. The new lights will also bring energy savings of about 80%.

The softer, whiter lights will highlight the Cathedral’s intricate stonework and Gothic features.

There will also be the option of having coloured lights on the towers to allow the cathedral to recognise important, local, national and international events.

Photo: Jason Paul Corrigan

The new lights are part of Lincoln Cathedral Connected, a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to improve the Cathedral’s setting and visitor experience.

The Revd Canon John Patrick, Subdean of Lincoln, said: “Lincoln Cathedral is one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks, so we’re thrilled that its lighting system is going to be replaced with a modern, energy-saving LED system that will really do it justice.

“Not being able to see our magnificent Cathedral lit up will be a temporary adjustment for all of us and a sobering reminder of what our city would be like without it.”