British high streets facing 'Christmas blackout' because of health and safety laws

Britain is facing a "Christmas blackout" because health and safety laws are forcing councils to scrap high street illuminations, business leaders have warned.

The Federation of Small Businesses says tough new rules are making insurance premiums too expensive for councils and traders to afford.

As a result, high streets up and down the country are scrapping their traditional festive lights this year.

Civic leaders say the cost of decorating a town has soared because local authorities must now pay expensive premiums in case of an accident.

Insurers insist on strict adherence to health and safety guidelines, which requires councils to use expensive specialist equipment to test the safety of light fittings.

Council workers, for instance, can no longer use ladders to put up lights and local authorities often have to pay for a hydraulic platform.

Every surface where a light is attached must also undergo a rigorous "pull-test" to make sure it is strong enough to hold a cable.

This year many councils are being required to use a pressure gauge to individually test every bolt which holds a cable or light fitting to a wall.

Lampposts are now often deemed unsafe to hang lights from and some roads have even been dubbed "too wide" for illuminations.

Shopkeepers are also increasingly banned from putting up the lights outside their stores by themselves because it must be done by an insured professional.

The escalating costs - in some cases £25,000 a year even for a modest high street - mean Christmas lights are too expensive in many places.

Stephen Alambritis, of the Federation of Small Businesses, described the situation as a "very sad state of affairs".

He said: "The festive period is looking darker and bleaker year on year - Britain is facing a Christmas blackout this year.

"Towns everywhere are facing the prospect of no Christmas lights - because councils simply can't afford the insurance.

"Christmas lights excite consumers, they create the ambiance of the season and make them want to go onto the high street.

"But we are increasingly concerned about what the threat to festive displays means for high street sales.

"The sense of pride a good festive display can instill on a town centre is immeasurable. Spiralling costs and exhaustive safety concerns are ruining the festive spirit for everyone."

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