Fountain restoration ‘could go ahead’
THE full restoration of the long defunct Coronation fountain in Bacup town centre could go ahead, but would need ‘significant funding’ and safety clearance, it’s been confirmed.
A storm erupted after the fountain was set to be moved as part of the Bacup Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI). It was then incorporated into a double-roundabout scheme after road layout plans were revised amid complaints from county councillors and the public.
Since then, calls have been made to restore the fountain as a water feature for the first time in more than 30 years, backed by an 850-signature petition.
Labour councillor Andy MacNae, Rossendale council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said it is possible to fully restore the fountain, but the decision is in the hands of Lancashire County Council.
Coun MacNae said: “It has always been our intention to have a great centrepiece in Bacup.
“Since Lancashire County Council have confirmed that the fountain must stay where it is, the THI board is now focused on looking at ways of making the best use of it as the centrepiece for the THI public realm scheme.”
He said the fountain could be restored with ‘significant’ funding, annual maintenance and approval from the county council’s highways department.
Coun MacNae added: “The project cannot proceed any further without confirmation from Lancashire County Council that they are willing to sanction the reinstatement of the fountain as a water feature. If we get that confirmation the board has agreed to start work with people interested in supporting and funding the project.”
In response, Tory county councillor Keith Iddon, cabinet member for highways, said that while the county hall had no objections to retaining the fountain, they still had concerns over safety.
He said: “There is currently no safe place to cross the road or stand to view the fountain up close. A solution would also need to be found to ensure that overspill from the fountain did not lead to the road becoming icy during the winter.
“I’m very keen to ensure that we take this opportunity to invest in improving St James’ Square, and we’ll continue to work with the borough council and the THI board to look at all these issues and agree an acceptable design.”
Jimmy Eaton, county councillor for Rossendale East, says he had always been in favour of keeping the fountain.
He said: “This is what the majority of the people in Bacup wanted to remain, and it means a lot to these people.”
The fountain was donated by the Bacup Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society to commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.