Mystery of the Queen Square hole
A showpiece fountain project in Wolverhampton was facing an investigation today – as workers moved back to the city centre site to dig out a hole they filled up before Christmas.
The £300,000 attraction has been hit by delays since work started last summer and has been branded a "catastrophe" by critics. The unveiling of the landmark in Queen Square is expected in April, eight months later than planned. And council chiefs will launch an investigation into why it has taken so long.
Bright green hoardings which blocked the site from view for months were ripped down in December to reveal a totally bare site which was then covered in Tarmac ready for the Christmas celebrations.
The site was then transformed with fairground rides and a vintage carousel for the festivities.
But workers have now returned to rip up the surfacing and continue the fountain project.
They have faced a number of complications while creating the fountain and council chiefs have apologised for the delays numerous times, blaming them on the intricate network of underground cables which have been there for more than a century.
Tory councillor Paddy Bradley, cabinet member for regeneration, said today: "I think it has been a bigger job than what was expected once the workers dug up the square and saw what was underneath with all the pipes and cables.
"The work has now re-started and the project is going forward again which we are all happy about, but when it is all up and running we will definitely be launching an investigation."
Once completed, the new feature will be made up of two water plazas on different levels with flashing LED lights and a walkway between them.
Labour opposition councillor Phil Page has branded the project a "catastrophe" in the past.
It is part of the council's wider multi-million pound regeneration plans to create a cafe culture in the city.
