ACCRINGTON Civic Trust has called for the controversial litter-strewn fountain outside Hyndburn Council's headquarters to be demolished.
And at a meeting of Accrington Area Council last night, Trust chairman Alan Benson was to urge that the historic Ashton Frost steam engine which was donated to the local authority around 20 years ago should be erected in its place.
The rusting engine was once used in textile production at the India and Primrose Mills at Church, and William Blythe's chemical company decided to donate it to Hyndburn Council in the hope that it could be restored.
But for many years it has been in storage at Accrington's Haworth Art Gallery.
Civic Trust officials believe that the fountain site in Ormerod Street would be ideal because it is only about 100 yards from the former location of Howard and Bullough's Globe Works, where textile-making machinery was once made, and the New Factory on Church Street, which was once a base for textile production.
Mr Benson said: "To my knowledge the fountain has not worked for a long time, and perhaps never, so the council must be entitled to compensation from the manufacturers or suppliers.
"The money it receives could be used to carry out this work. I believe that the fountain cost £150,000 to put there, whereas I should think it could be demolished and part of the steam engine erected for about £20,000. Perhaps Accrington brick could be incorporated into the display.''
- What do you think? Write to Letters to the Editor or drop us an e-mail.
