A protective railing for Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is expected to reach Bermuda in the coming weeks, the Ministry of Public Works and Environment has said.

Plans were announced in April to design and add a safety railing to the Southampton landmark following a sudden death on the premises earlier this year.

A spokesman for the ministry said last week: “The ministry has completed the design for a new safety railing at the lighthouse, with fabrication in progress.

“The railing is expected to arrive on island in early September and installation is scheduled for later that month, subject to suitable weather conditions for working at height.”

Visitors have not had full access to the upper outside platform since the tragic incident on January 14 which involved a 36-year-old man.

The ministry spokesman confirmed the exterior platform had remained closed since January for “safety reasons”.

He said the platform would not be reopened to the public until the railing was installed and the area was confirmed to be safe.

The spokesman added: “At this time, additional railings around other tall public structures are not planned, as most have controlled access.

“However, the ministry’s Health and Safety Officer continues to conduct inspections and recommend measures where necessary.”

A previous sudden death happened at the landmark in 2015 when a 72-year-old man fell over the top railing.

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse was built in 1844 by the UK Corps of Royal Engineers.

It is one of the first lighthouses in the world to be made of cast iron because steel could not be bent at its time of construction.

Thanks to its placement on one of the tallest hills in Bermuda, the focal plane of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse sits 354ft above sea level despite the structure being of average height for a lighthouse.

It is a major tourist attraction and continues to be used by passing ships as a navigation aid.

Despite closing access to the upper balcony, visitors have still been able to enjoy the site and its views from within the structure.