Plans for £107k fountain criticised

A flash new fountain planned for a key site in Windsor will end up being used as a toilet by drunken revellers.

That's the warning from Dr David Lewis, a leading member of Windsor and Eton Society's heritage and environment committee.

The Royal Borough plans a 25m long fountain near Alexandra Gardens on the corner of Goswell Road and Barry Avenue with a 3m radius circular pool at the centre and a crown of water jets.

But Dr Lewis said: "Its location near the Windsor nightclubs will inevitably lead to it becoming an unplanned public convenience - or should we say public inconvenience: a malodorous eyesore close to the area most used by tourists."

In his attack on the council plans - which has left some members of the society uneasy - Dr Lewis accuses Royal Borough officers of wasting £107,000 at a time when staff are being made redundant.

He said: "The plan for this fountain together with its gaudy design seems to have been dreamt up by council officers without any public consultation or discussion."

But Cllr Simon Dudley (Con, Maidenhead Riverside), cabinet member for community services, expressed surprise at the criticism. He said the Windsor and Eton Society had been consulted and had been happy with the original outline proposals for the fountain.

Cllr Dudley emphasised it was being funded by a contribution from property developers and sponsorship, not taxpayers.

He said: "The addition of more fountains around the borough was one of our manifesto commitments. The design of this fountain is appropriate for the location and we are confident it will further enhance this gateway to the town centre."

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