Fountains to remain closed over water safety fears

The fountains in Hull's Queen Victoria Square will remain closed after further faults and concerns over water quality were discovered, the council has confirmed.

The water feature has been closed since May 2023 and is fenced off behind a metal barrier.

Gillian Osgerby, a senior officer at Hull City Council, said issues with the internal mechanism, which "can affect water quality", had been discovered during repair works.

"Despite our best efforts to reopen the fountains, we will not do so until the issues have been fully resolved, and the water quality is satisfactory," she said.

The fountains were installed as part of a £28m regeneration scheme to mark Hull's year as UK City of Culture in 2017.

Ms Osgerby, the interim assistant director for major projects and infrastructure, apologised to residents and said further tests would be carried out to ensure the fountains are safe.

"While we understand this is disappointing, public safety is our top priority," she added.

Emma Hardy, the MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, has expressed her frustration at the ongoing closure of the fountains

On Monday, she told BBC Radio Humberside: "I was there the other day, the area is fenced off, it's not clean and it makes the city centre look a mess.

"We want people to come to the city, visit the shops and museums and having the fountains in the state they are will put people off."

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