At long last the work started on the replacement floodlights. As a start the two faulty lights at the Canterbury Road end of the ground were the first to be addressed.

We hired Ackward Access and their narrow access platform and local electrical contractors, Tested Electrical Services. They started to remove the two existing floodlights on the changing room side of the ground. Three hours later ONE floodlight was eventually removed, after problem after problem beset them.

First the electrical plug connector separating the floodlight from the power cable would not separate. This had to be cut off and replacement connectors sought.
Next the floodlight securing bolt had been spot welded to the pylon. A battery angle grinder was then employed to sever the bolt. Attempts to source new bolts were almost as difficult as removing the original. While the required bolts were being sourced the second floodlight was removed. Unfortunately only one bolt was able to be obtained so only one new floodlight could be installed. 1 hour later the new light was installed and switched on.
Relief when switching on the electrical supply the new floodlight actually worked.

Without another bolt available the decision was made to change the lamp in one of the stand side floodlights using the lamp that came out of one of the faulty lights and to our amazement when turned on it actually lit up five and a half hours after the works started.

This now gives us 13 out of 16 floodlights working with two lights on each pylon and three on the car park, clubhouse side. A much better situation than we were previously experiencing.

The 11 replacement floodlights will now be installed at the end of the season along with the 6 new control boxes.
Many thanks go out Vincent (Awkward Access) and Bryan and Tom (TES) for overcoming the numerous obstacles which confronted them whist doing this work.