COUNCIL officials are being urged to revisit plans to illuminate Port Glasgow’s historic Newark Castle after pulling the plug on a £28,000 project.

Councillor Jim MacLeod expressed his ‘disappointment’ that local authority bosses scrapped a new LED lighting system for the 15th Century landmark.

The Tele revealed last week how Inverclyde Council chiefs have ditched the idea because of ‘archaeological issues’ at the site, despite the proposals being given full backing by elected members two years ago.

But Mr MacLeod said: “I am very disappointed that Newark Castle is not going to be lit up at night, especially as less than two years ago at a council committee that I sit on, councillors agreed to spend £28,000 on a LED lighting system.

“The new LED system was to replace previous lights.

“In the past the castle was a lovely sight when it was lit up at night, as are many other well known structures in Inverclyde.

“The castle could be seen by thousands of drivers from the A8, especially after trees were trimmed back. As well as this we have the coastal pathway and park which is beside the castle and is regularly used by local residents. 

“I am contacting council officials to see what can be done to illuminate the castle as I believe as part of our tourism strategy we need to highlight our iconic buildings – and few are as striking as Newark Castle.”