The Derry City and Strabane District Council has said they have appointed contractors to carry out feature lighting upgrades on the Peace Bridge, with work starting this week.

The project will see the bridge’s existing fluorescent feature lighting upgraded to modern, energy-efficient LED technology, including a complete overhaul of the lighting on the spires.

Council said that they have been working closely with the bridge’s owners, the Department for Infrastructure, to secure the necessary access permissions to allow these works to take place.

A spokesperson said once completed, members of the public will see a striking visual transformation, restoring full illumination to the structure after many of the previous lights remained out of action for a number of years.

Works will be carried out during daylight hours and are expected to take a number of weeks, with the aim of having the new lighting fully operational in time for Derry’s famous Halloween celebrations.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Grace Uí Niallais welcomed the start of the works. She said: “I am delighted to see work getting underway on this significant £125,000 investment by Council. The Peace Bridge is an iconic landmark, loved by locals and visitors alike, and it will be fantastic to see it fully lit up once again. This upgrade will restore a crucial feature of our city's skyline.”

Due to the intricate nature of the installation, which involves lifting metal floor grills along the structure, there will be some temporary impact on bridge access while contractors are on site.

Members of the public are advised to take note of safety signage erected on both the Ebrington and city sides of the bridge.

Council is urging all bridge users to adhere to the safety signage, exercise caution, and remain patient while these complex works are carried out, reassuring the public that the temporary inconvenience will be well worth the wait when the revamped bridge is unveiled.

The Peace Bridge was opened in June 2011 and was constructed with funding from the European Union’s PEACE III programme (Shared Space Initiative). The £14.5m Peace Bridge has become an iconic symbol of Derry’s post-Troubles evolution.