24 March 2006
The Commons Public Accounts Committee has criticised the £5.2m Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain project in Hyde Park, saying poor management has led to spiralling costs.
The fountain – which opened in July 2004 and was £2.2m over budget – was ill conceived, said PAC chair Edward Leigh. It reopened last May after closing because of blockages and injuries.
'This so-called water feature will literally be a drain on the resources of the Royal Parks agency for years to come,' Leigh said, noting that it will cost an estimated £250,000 a year to maintain the memorial.
'This is a typical example of the great and good airily embarking on a prestige project which will take away money badly needed for the upkeep of national recreational facilities enjoyed by millions.'
The criticism comes in the PAC's report published this week on the management of the eight royal parks. Although the Royal Parks Agency is not blamed for the shortcomings of the Diana memorial project, it comes under fire for its overall performance.
The management of the parks has hitherto been marked by complacency and a lack of imagination, said Leigh.
'The agency has now taken steps to determine what it will cost to address the backlog of its maintenance work. But the agency's plans for increasing the income from its assets have been too cautious.'
The Royal Parks are, the MPs say, major historical and cultural resources, which attract millions of visitors each year.
PFmar2006
