Work to dismantle March's historic fountain begins
Work to carefully dismantle March's Coronation Fountain as part of the town centre regeneration has begun this week (8 August).
A specialist heritage contractor is carrying out the work which will take approximately two weeks to complete.
After the Grade II listed fountain has been dismantled the historic structure will be wrapped and safely transported for storage, before being reinstated in a new location towards the end of the Broad Street regeneration project.
The relocation of the fountain has been approved by Fenland District Council, with support from Historic England.
But its planned location - a few metres from its current position, at the top of the central reservation in Broad Street, to what will become a new pedestrianised, public realm area - is being reconsidered after a 3,587-signature petition opposing the new location was presented to the Council.
At a full Council meeting last month, members agreed to review the proposed location.
The Council is now looking at possible alternative locations and cost implications before a report is presented to Cabinet in September for a final decision.
The removal of the fountain was due to commence in June but was postponed after doves were found nesting at the top of the structure.
Fenland District Council and Broad Street regeneration contractor Octavius Infrastructure Ltd promptly re-programmed the town centre works to accommodate the birds and allow them to nest and fledge undisturbed.
An independent ecological report has since confirmed that the doves have fledged and the nest is empty, allowing work to continue. Read more: Work on March fountain to progress after birds fledge nest.
For further updates on the progress of the Broad Street regeneration project, please:
- Visit our March Town Centre regeneration webpages.
- Contact the project team at: HighStreetProject@fenland.gov.uk.
- Check out the latest Broad Street newsletter.
- Visit our weekly coffee morning, held at the Octavius Offices, 2 Broad Street (former Barclays Bank), every Thursday from 11am to 1pm. Representatives will be on hand to answer any questions regarding the scheme.
Keep up-to-date with Fenland District Council via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and our newsletter The Fenlander.
August 2023
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