BOURNEMOUTH Council had to share the £5,652 bill to repair lights on Boscombe Pier after they kept short circuiting in the rain.

They were off for a year after contractor Carillion fitted them during a £2.4million renovation.

Boscombe Cllr Chris Wakefield said he was “disgusted” the contractor did not foot the whole bill.

He told the Echo: “It’s a shame that that’s it taken so long to correct the deficiencies with the lighting columns that were provided by Carillion.

“I am disgusted that Carillion have not been made to pay the full amount given the fact that they are the professionals.

“I am outraged that taxpayers money was used considering Carillion should have specified something suitable in the first place.”

Bournemouth Council said it had to replace the circuit breaker enclosure in the 36 lights with a cast resin cable joint.

The subcontractor, Southern Electric, is expected to finish the work by mid March. The council said the specification for the original lights was agreed between the council and Carillion. Richard Carpenter, project manager for Boscombe Pier, said: “It is unclear how the water has got in to the light fittings.

“However, the water would only need to get in to one fitting to then trip the whole system. We believe that there was not a fault with the design or installation.

“We are working closely with the contractor and are confident that the repairs to the lights will resolve the problem.”

Carillion had not returned an enquiry by the Echo after two days. The company had to carry out emergency repairs in June 2010 after structural piles off the end of the pier were exposed.

Five months later the council discovered a boat belonging to one of Carillion’s sub-contractors had collided with the pier and damaged two support piles.

And last year it was discovered all the supporting piles had hairline cracks.