Town centre fountain set to be demolished despite opposition

NUNEATON town centre’s iconic ‘lilypad fountain’ will be demolished despite major opposition to the plans.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council is still forging ahead with plans to use £40,000 of government cash to remove the fountain in Market Place.

It is a decision that has split opinion in the borough with some in favour while others vehemently oppose it and petitions have been set up to save it. At a full council meeting, the differing opinions were evident with a number of public questions submitted.

Sharon Isolen wrote: “I live in one of the flats nearby the thankfully soon-tobe demolished fountain. When it works and is cleared, it looks nice for all of a week and then it looks like human waste, smells of urine and beer.

“I will be glad when its gone.” Brian Walmsley submitted a written statement in which he suggested claims made by the council about why the fountain needs to be demolished are a ‘fallacy.’ He said that his own Freedom of Information Act request to Warwickshire Police in regards to incidents of anti-social behaviour of ‘concern’ at the fountain over five years, revealed just five calls.

He added that claims the fountain is a magnet for ASB are unfounded and served as a ‘pathetic cover story’ to get rid of the feature.

Eunice Wormald branded as ‘non existent’ claims the fountain must be removed to make it easier for those with mobility issues.

Councillor Sam Croft, cabinet member for finance, answered some of the questions and said that the removal of the fountain was a small part of the plans to regenerate the town centre. “It is a brutalist, concrete eyesore that is currently taking up space in what should be an attractive central market square,” he said. “It’s a hangover from the era when concrete was king.

“It is frequently vandalised and dirty and once we have used government grants to demolish it, I’m pleased that we will never again have to use council tax money for repairs and cleaning.

“Removing it, not only removes an eyesore that detracts from the heritage environment, but will open up a central plaza to allow us to have more space for events, markets, and outdoor dining.

In regards to the question about space for mobility, he said: “It’s not been suggested there is no disabled access whatsoever around the fountain.

“However, it is very much the case that the fountain is a bottleneck for pedestrians, and opening up the space will ease the flow of people, for example, on market days or when large scale events are held such as the Christmas lights switch on.”

He rubbished claims made by Mr Walmsley that the area is not a magnet for trouble and said the Nuneaton Central and Abbey areas have the highest amount of anti-social behaviour in Warwickshire.

“This is an extremely difficult problem, and we all need to play our part, including the police,” he added.

“One of the ways that this council can help is to design out trouble spots, and remove focal points where potential troublemakers can congregate.

“What we need to do, and we will do, is support forces of law and order.

“Mr Walmsley’s answer is to insist that crime and disorder is not happening. I am sure people will make the right judgement on that.

“We will carry on with our plans for regenerating our towns, rebuilding our communities, and serving the people of this borough.”