Goodbye to the little fountains nobody liked
It’s probably fair to say that Bristolians haven’t been satisfied with the state of “The Centre” for decades. Part of it was culverted in the 1930s as part of an ambitious road scheme that had to be put on hold because of the Second World War. There have been calls to uncover this stretch of water and “Free the Frome” ever since.
After the War, much of the Centre was a car park, which was handy for the minority of Bristolians who owned a car. Everyone else stood in the rain and waited for the bus. But at least there was a huge bank of public toilets if you needed them, as well as an equally generous choice of phone boxes so’s you could call home and tell them you were going to be late.
The Centre then became a sort of park, planted with lawns and flowerbeds. People working in surrounding offices might take their packed lunches there on sunny days, but with traffic and fumes on all sides, it was hardly idyllic.
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This state of affairs continued with minor changes until the end of the 20th century. In the run-up to the Millennium, Bristol saw plenty of new projects to help mark this momentous turn of the calendar, not least a lot of structures and spaces on Harbourside, including Millennium Square.
It also got a remodelled Centre. Work on this £4m project was completed just in time for the big party at century’s end. It was officially opened in a low-key ceremony on December 20 1999, and the fountains and lights were there for the spectacular party in the middle of town on December 31.
By this stage other changes had already taken place, leading to complaints that the centre was becoming a death-trap for pedestrians because of road changes – particularly confusing bus lanes.
The fountains were never especially popular, aside from with children who could mess around in the water on hot days. And of course fun-loving students and teens, who would regularly empty bottles of washing-up liquid into them.
They were particularly unpopular with late-night revellers, back when loads of people would come into town for the pubs, clubs and music venues at weekends. Waiting for a bus or cab home with a full bladder was much worse with all that visibly gushing water.
On which subject, what did for them was Lord Mayor Bill Martin’s much-quoted remark from 2002 when he said they look like “20 elderly men peeing into a pond.” The straight-talking Labour Councillor for Brislington East’s observation stuck.
Now we read that the Centre is due for another refurb over the coming winter. The fountains haven’t been working for a while and are reportedly “beyond repair”.
So they’re going. The relatively low-key work, set to cost around £400,000 will see them covered over and some overgrown trees removed. This should provide improved access for pedestrians and more space for markets and public events.
If the work is in keeping with local tradition, it’s unlikely to please everyone.
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