RESIDENTS in Avon Road West in Christchurch will not be able to retain their cast iron lamp columns due to an agreement between Christchurch and Dorset councils.

Forty people signed a petition, requesting the traditional lamposts in their road were not replaced with steel ones under a county council scheme to upgrade all lighting in Dorset.

Under the scheme, roads in conservation areas get heritage- style lantern replacements with an embellished steel column. But those outside of the area are replaced with standard columns and lanterns.

If Avon Road West were to have the special steel columns the cost of £4,500 would have to be borne by Christchurch Borough Council.

Despite the petition, the community services committee agreed with officers to uphold the current policy.