End in sight as Cathedral Square fountains tested

Posted 17th June 2010

May 21st 2010

THIS is the first photograph of the new fountains in operation in the heart of Peterborough’s revamped city centre.

The fountains, which form the focal point of the new look Cathedral Square with the jets of water having the capacity to reach 20 feet high, have been tested for the last two days.

The work will clean waste from the water supply before the big turn-on, which is still on schedule for June 1.

Peterborough City Council leader Councillor Marco Cereste said that the revamped centre would rival any other city centre in the world.

Cllr Cereste said: “I defy you to go anywhere in the world and see a more beautiful sight.

“If you walk through Cowgate and look back across St John’s Curch to the Cathedral it really is fantastic.

“We are hoping that the fountains will provide the centre of culture for the city. The idea was to have something different and I think this will provide that.

“I was down at the site on Wednesday and the tests seemed to be going well, so I can’t see any reason why they will not be on at full capacity as planned next weekend.”

Cllr Cereste added: “I think the fountains will be great additions to the town centre and will hopefully help to inspire a cultural rejuvination in Peterborough.”

He said the fountains will be switched off at night.

In total there will be 25 fountains in the square, one in a block of 15 and another in a block of ten.

As the fountain heads were installed six months ago they need to be washed out before they are switched on to full capacity.

Contractors will continue testing the fountains at increased pressure over the next two weeks before they are fully functional on June 1.

The fountains will form the centrepiece of the £11.8 million facelift to bring a vibrant city centre piazza to Peterborough.

Bosses at Vivacity, the body that has taken control of leisure and arts services from the council, believe that the fountains will become a symbol that helps to regenerate a new cultural boom for the city.

Chief executive Kevin Tighe said: “The fountains will be a fresh and enlivening rejuvination to this well loved part of Peterborough.

He added: “I think it will help to create a great atmosphere for all of the great events and festivals that we are planning this summer.”

Article Courtesy of Peterborough Evening Telegraph