PROUD neighbours banded together to repaint old 19th century lampposts after becoming “dismayed” at their deteriorating condition.

The eight volunteers were granted approval by Essex Highways to give a lick of paint to the 18 historic posts in Roman Road and Castle Road, Colchester.

Many of the group are members of Colchester Civic Society, which revealed through a survey that more than half of the Colchester-made cast-iron columns, some more than 125 years old, have been removed and destroyed during the past four decades.

They were replaced because they were damaged or no longer compliant with new electronic lighting equipment, as the older posts had gas lamps.

About 500 of the heritage columns have been lost, dropping the total from 800 to about 300.

Essex Highways does not have a budget for repainting the columns and welcomed the offer from the Roman Road and Castle Road Residents’ Association to carry out the work.

In addition to the paint supplied by Essex Highways, Castle ward borough councillors Simon Crow, Mark Goacher and Nick Barlow provided £175 each from their locality budgets.

This enabled the purchase of specialist equipment to strip layers of paint from the columns, and also safety and protection equipment for the volunteers.

John Salmon, chairman of the residents’ association, said the work took into account social distancing requirements.

“Working in pairs, all eight volunteers were supplied with good quality carbon filter respirators and goggles, as well as wire brushes and powered tools, plus a hammer and chisel, step ladders and gloves.

“A hot air gun and angle grinder also helped remove several layers of paint going back more than 100 years.”

Other posts can still be found around Colchester which pre-date the First World War and the Civic Society is now hoping to encourage similar projects.

Mr Salmon, who is also part of the society, added: “We are keen to widen this out as far as possible and preserve as many of our unique Colchester lamp columns as possible.

“We would like to appeal to any community groups who might be prepared to get involved in this.

“Arrangements will be required by Essex Highways and there is a process which will need to be gone through.

“The civic society will help any group wishing to do this and provide guidance on what tools and equipment are needed as well as how to organise and carry out the work.”

For further information, visit www.colchestercivicsociety.co.uk.