AS strange as it may seem, it was only 70 years ago when Skipton was lit by gas lamps. Lesley Tate looks back to the Craven Herald of October 8, 1954 when the town's 'archaic' lighting system was the subject of a heated debate at a Skipton council meeting.

Back in October, 1954, the subject of debate by members of Skipton Urban Council was the town's gas lamps; and according to Councillor W Foster, it was high time they were replaced by electricity.

Cllr Foster remarked that flickering gas lamps all over the town might well have been suited to mid-Victorian days, but it was high time they were replaced.

The council had been asked to approve a resolution of its public works committee that given that it was unlikely that the trunk road lighting scheme would be required to be financed in that financial year, that they proceed with the conversion of gas to electricity. Particular attention was recommended for the lamps on Burnside estate, Shortbank Road and the Regent estate.

Cllr W A Anderson asserted that it was a fact that the trunk roads in the town were badly lit and he called for assurances that there would be no delay in them being lit - he was informed that the latest from the Ministry of Transport that the scheme needed a 'few amendments' after which it would go ahead as soon as possible - although Skipton was lagging behind other local authorities.

Meanwhile, why Burnside estate, Shortbank Road and the Regent estate had been highlighted for greater need was questioned. In response, Cllr Aldersley, chair of the public works committee, said he and the council surveyor had made a tour of the entire district, and they were some of the worst areas.

"There was not only the need for conversion on Burnside Estate, but some of the columns were quickly rusting and would need replacement in the near future," reported the Herald.

Saying that a case could be made out for most wards in the town, Cllr Anderson moved an amendment deleting reference to specific areas.

He went on to say that it was the policy of the council in matters of conversion, if possible, to proceed with trunk road lighting. That, in his opinion, was a correct policy because it meant the greatest benefit not only to the townspeople but to everyone passing through the town.

Cllr Anderson told the meeting that the cost of trunk road lighting would be around £10,000 and half of that would have to come from the council.

When the scheme was first proposed, it was suggested that the council should rate for it at the extent of spreading the cost over three years - £1,700 per annum.

One councillor said it would be a crying shame if Burnside was allowed to continue in its disgraceful state.

To which Cllr Aldersley stated it was the council policy to deal with the conversion of gas lighting to electricity as soon as funds became available..

Meanwhile, mention was made of the fact that a number of street lamps in the Broughton Road area were not functioning.

Cllr Aldersley said the reason why some were not being lit was there was a shortage of staff in the department and two or three employees had been off sick. If lamps got out of order, some time elapsed before they could be put right.

The issue of gas lamps and their replacement with new-fangled electricity was also being discussed over at Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council.

The council had taken up the opportunity offered to it by the Ministry of Transport to take up the new trunk road lighting scheme.

It was to involve just more than a mile, starting at the Skipton side of Eastburn and continuing to the Keighley side of Steeton.

There would be 66 'lighting points', each a 140 watt lamp on top of a 25ft concrete post. Councillors were told the old gas lamps and posts, which were actually tram standards and bought second hand from Keighley Corporation, would have to be removed.

A 50 per cent grant would be given by the MoT, if the council got its name down on the list; after a brief discussion, it was decided to go ahead, and apply for a grant.

Councillors in Skipton also discussed the decision of its health committee that Birtwistle's Yard be declared a clearance area and that an undertaking be agreed to rehouse the 13 families living there.

Concern was raised by some about plans to move the families to the housing estate at Horse Close.

Several of the people were old and had lived in the yard, adjoining High Street, all their lives.

It was asked whether these people could remain where they were until such time when properties in Newmarket Street were demolished and replaced with smaller houses where the older people could be moved to instead of Horse Close.