Fixing the fountains in Blackpool town centre cost the taxpayer £50,000

Fixing the water fountains in St John’s Square, which were out of action for more than three years, cost the taxpayer £50,000.
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The council has defended the cost, saying maintenance fees during the jets’ time on the blink would have topped £30,000.

Environmental services boss John Blackledge said: “Work to fix the fountains has ranged from new circulation pumps, switch routers, connection box, cables, to replacement pipework.

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“We are pleased that they are operational again and can be enjoyed by residents and visitors.”

The fountains in St John's Square, Blackpool town centre, on Monday, September 21, 2020 (Picture: Daniel Martino for The Gazette)The fountains in St John's Square, Blackpool town centre, on Monday, September 21, 2020 (Picture: Daniel Martino for The Gazette)
The fountains in St John's Square, Blackpool town centre, on Monday, September 21, 2020 (Picture: Daniel Martino for The Gazette)

The fountains are a focus point of the £3.5 million overhaul of the Blackpool town centre plaza a decade ago.

They were unveiled to a huge fanfare, with the then-council leader, Conservative Peter Callow, wanting make Blackpool the “third best shopping centre in the north west”.

But they were plagued by “multiple technical issues” because of their “complex mechanics and engineering”, the council said in 2018, when the jets were removed completely so a “comprehensive investigation could be undertaken”.

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They were fixed at the turn of the year by a “specialist firm”, Mr Blackledge said, while the authority’s own Illuminations workers were also involved.

Coun Tony Williams, leader of the opposition at the town hall, said previously: “I don’t think we have ever had a definite answer from the council as to what exactly is wrong with these fountains.”

Mr Blackledge again only said “there had been multiple technical issues with the fountains given their complex mechanics and engineering which we had tried to remedy on an ongoing basis”.

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