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Message # 16369 Subject: bad news from UK Date: Fri 03/06/05 05:31:46 GMT Name: DNF |
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UK News Paddling banned in Trafalgar Square fountains
Thursday, 2nd June 2005, 10:57 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The tradition of paddling in the fountains in London's Trafalgar Square has been banned.
Plastic signs have been put up around fountains in the landmark area to warn off visitors from dipping a toe in the water.
However council bosses denied the move was out of fear of being sued in the increasing 'blame and claim' culture sweeping the nation, saying they are "just making explicit a policy that was always there."
They said the signs will only be displayed in front of the 160-year-old fountains on the hottest days.
The ban spells the end of a tradition of cooling down in the square's waters as temperatures soar during the summer months.
Some of Britain's finest glories, including VE Day and football and rugby World Cup victories, have also been celebrated in the square as revellers splashed in the water to celebrate.
The signs - four in each of the two fountains - state "Not safe for public use" and show a no entry symbol. And as an extra precaution the area will continue to be patrolled by heritage wardens to keep out anyone tempted to cool off out of the fountain.
A spokesman for Great London Authority (GLA) said: "Use of the Square has increased since the successful pedestrianisation of the north terrace and the introduction of many more popular summer events.
"In such circumstances it is necessary to remind the public that the fountains are not a suitable place to bathe.
"The fountains are important parts of our national heritage not paddling pools and they were simply not designed for bathing. The signs themselves have been introduced as a new measure intended to protect the public as well as the fabric of the fountains. As a new initiative they will be kept under review.
"We are just making explicit a policy that was always there, so there can be no fines on something like that."
Trafalgar Square took five years to build back in 1840, sticking to the design by Sir Charles Barry. The current fountains were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1939
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