Newry Council is being urged to consider a proposal to place a permanent light fixture at the 18 arches viaduct.

The fixture would allow the landmark to be lit in different colours to celebrate cultural festivals and support charities throughout the year.

Currently the council pays thousands of pounds to light up the 18 arches on a temporary basis.

SDLP Newry Councillor Michael Carr said: "It is our view that a temporary structure is not good enough and the council should immediately explore installing a permanent fixture to light the landmark up for a range of festivals and charities every year. If that results in a figure which represents value for money then Newry Pride, Breast Cancer Awareness and a host of other great causes can make use of it.

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"The SDLP is fully supportive of Newry Pride and gay rights. The decision is in no way reflective of our steadfast support for the LGBT community. The opposite is true; our MPs have voted in favour of equal marriage at Westminster and our MLAs the same in Stormont, and even now we believe a piecemeal approach to lighting the arches for Newry pride isn’t good enough."

(CD/IT)