Electrical fault delays repair of Leeds fountain opened by Nelson Mandela
Leeds City Council has said they will get the fountain “up and running” again
The repair of a water feature in Leeds city centre which was opened by Nelson Mandela, has been delayed due to an electrical fault.
The fountain in Mandela Gardens in Millennium Square was refurbished last year, however, it has since returned to a state of disrepair.
Leeds City Council has now confirmed that an electrical fault has prevented the restoration of the fountain.
A spokesperson from Leeds City Council said: “Following an inspection of the fountain, it has been identified that some electrical remedial work needs to be undertaken. We are currently awaiting an electrician to come out to site to identify a solution to the problem.
“Once the electrical fault has been resolved, the team will work to get the fountain back up and running."
For gardener and parks campaigner Peter Fawcett, the fountain must be restored again to honour its heritage.
The 77-year-old said: "It's the number one feature in the parks department in the whole of Leeds and it's important because of the legacy which it was supposed to be leaving.
“Legacy should be kept up, not destroyed.”
Anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela opened the Mandela Gardens after they were reimagined in 2001.
Over 5,000 people attended the ceremony in Millennium Square as the former president of South Africa received the Freedom of the City.
The Mandela Fountain was restored last year after five years of appeals from Mr Fawcett, however, at the present moment it is once again not functioning.
Mr Fawcett believes that repairing the fountain to its former glory again is important to show that parks are important to the people of Leeds.
He said: “Parks matter for wellbeing and are the most economical way to improve the lives of everyone.
“The parks are the one thing that makes the city look bright and vibrant - if they’re not looking bright and vibrant, that’s not good for the city at all.”