BBC launches investigation into lightbulbs

It sounds like a joke but the BBC is to spend six weeks finding out about changing lightbulbs.

An "intensive investigation" has been launched into light fittings at the Corporation's state-of-the-art new Media Centre in White City.

It comes after staff reported problems on stairwells, with bulbs constantly flickering on and off. Most discovered the best way to remedy the problem was to give the fittings a sharp tap to jolt them back into action.

But a bizarre edict from management has warned employees to stop the practice straight away - and leave it to the experts.

An email sent by customer services co-ordinator Louise Wood announced the six-week "trial", which began on Monday.

Property management company Land Securities, to which the BBC outsources work, is carrying out the task to "investigate and rectify the failing lamps".

Ms Wood said: "All bulbs will be replaced, each will be monitored daily and any failings noted ... Intensive investigation will be carried out to all lamps that fail, enabling us to locate the problems and ensure a fix."

She warns: "Some staff in the Media Centre may be aware that by 'tapping' the fittings they can be temporarily repaired. I would ask that during the trial staff refrain from 'tapping' fittings where the bulbs have failed to ensure that our results are accurate."

The electrical fault comes less than a year after the Media Centre was opened - part of a ?250 million Media Village built next to Television Centre. It

houses the BBC's corporate division, including Director-General Mark Thompson's office. The lengthy repair work also comes weeks after it was revealed that Land Securities had charged the BBC ?57 to change a lightbulb. It was part of a catalogue of costly jobs, including ?2,500 to put up nine shelves, ?1,000 to erect a sign and ?5,500 to install a ?2,000 air-conditioning unit. The figures emerged after an exasperated BBC worker posted a memo on an internal message board.

The latest repair work has angered some staff, who fear the cost implications at a time when the BBC is making massive job cuts to save money.

Unions yesterday announced they would ballot for strike action over plans to axe up to 6,000 posts to make ?355 million budget savings.

One employee said: "It's so typically BBC in a time of saving resources."

But a BBC spokeswoman today insisted the work would not come at any extra cost.

"It's all part of the building costs that Land Securities are contracted to do," she said. "It's just a teething problem which you get in any new building. They need to investigate it to suss out what it is so they can rectify the problem."