HERE we take a look at the £135 million redevelopment planned for High Wycombe which promises new shops, leisure and transport facilities to revitalise the town centre.

EDEN'S addition to High Wycombe's water features went down the drain quickly after it broke down within weeks of the centre's opening.

The cylindrical metal fountain outside Marks & Spencer in the 675,000sqft shopping complex stopped working due to a technical hitch - bringing the number of defunct fountains in the town to two.

The fountain in Frogmoor has been lifeless for three years after its plant room flooded in 2005.

And although Eden's water feature was flowing again by Saturday, reader Julie Smith was dismayed to see it break down so soon.

Mrs Smith, from Mill End Road, said: "It's just typical of Wycombe Council sort of not getting everything right. They have made a muck up of the one on Frogmoor; whoever designed this one, it's another blot on the landscape."

The 53-year-old works as a merchandiser at two stores in the multi million pound shopping centre.

She added: "I saw the fountain on the Friday, the day after opening, because I had to go in after work. And then I just walked past it one day and thought oh it's not working' and then the next time I went down, it's still not working."

Frogmoor's fountain, meanwhile cost £100,000 to install but broke down just hours after it was officially opened.

Mrs Smith thought it had become an "ash tray" and a "litter bin".

The mum of two added: "The one on Frogmoor is full of dog ends and some of the grates have fallen in."

Wycombe District Council (WDC) is responsible for Frogmoor's fountain, but Eden's water feature is maintained by the shopping centre.

Catherine Spalton, WDC spokesman, said the re-development of Frogmoor's open space was being held up by the county council.

She said: "Before we progress with more work on a new design for the public space, the county council has agreed to carry out some work investigating opportunities for different traffic management arrangements and routings in the area, given the importance of traffic and pedestrian issues.

"We are currently waiting for information from county council as to when they will carry out this work."

Eden confirmed there was a technical hitch with the fountain in the first couple of weeks of opening, but it was now working well.

12:12pm Friday 25th April 2008

Print   Email this   Comment