Work has begun to dismantle the malfunctioning fountains in Bristol’s city centre, with temporary Heras fences cordoning off a large area between Broad Quay and St Augustine’s Parade. Bristol City Council has yet to comment on the timeline for the works, but a sign on the fence indicates that contractors are expected to complete work on the promenade by May 17. Bristol Live readers are frustrated at the amount of money the works are costing.
The plans to remove the fountains were announced last September, with the aim of creating more space for pedestrians and the street food market. Trees in the area have been cut down due to their size posing a risk to buses and pedestrians.
The fountains will be replaced with a single surface featuring a new large artwork, and platforms will be constructed over three sets of steps along Broad Quay for use by street food vendors. The existing London plane trees will be replaced with smaller, flowering trees.
In the future, the council plans to change the colour of the cycle path running alongside the former fountain area to make it more visible and reduce conflicts with pedestrians.
Commenter Bigdom says: “What a total waste of money they were. I never understood what is so wrong with flower beds?”
J444 agrees: “A total waste of TAX payers money. The city centre was beautiful back in 1988.”
Table For Two adds: “These fountains have not worked since the day they were turned on. When the Centre was redesigned for the Millennium I was hopeful, but it’s just been a miserable waste of time. Reopen the water. Just do it.”
Saytoday35 replies: “The water / fountains were obviously costing too much to maintain. So led to disrepair. Absolute waste of money.”
Scattered_dreams complains: “They have turned an attractive city centre into a vanity project shambles, at vast expense. The long-dormant eyesore ‘fountains’, a continual reminder of the colossal money wasted by civic leaders. And now of course we pay to pave it over, to sweep up their mess and make it useful, while hoping pedestrians don’t get knocked over on the ‘barely discernible’ cycle path. No apology, no accountability.”
Jonty2 thinks: “It’s change for change’s sake. The complete city centre remodelling is at least £10m, plus well over the same again for the Triangle works. Change isn’t necessary if it takes priority over the woeful statutory responsibilities the Council are failing to provide.”
Rob Millard points out: “There needs to be thought given to the cycle paths in relation to the pedestrian areas and food stalls. There are a small number of cyclists that seem to want to travel at speed in that area and cut across the pedestrian pathways.”
Suzanne Allman agrees: “There is enough cycle space already in that area, across pedestrian paths and at speed. Better planning is necessary before a serious accident happens!”
Are you sad to see the fountains go or are you excited to see what will take their place? Have your say in our comments section.