Refurbishments complete on Queen’s Peace Fountain

The Queen’s Peace Fountain in East Park (Andrews Park) was officially opened by The Right Worshipful Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Alex Houghton last night (07 October 2021) following a £150,000 refurbishment

Since the fountain was constructed 20 years ago, the infrastructure had degraded to a point where it was losing considerable amounts of water and required regular repairs.

Using community infrastructure levy funds (contributions collected from new developments in the city), Southampton City Council has completely refurbished the fountain, bringing it up to a watertight modern standard and installing state-of-the-art energy efficient pumps and lighting.

The dancing water displays are complemented by new energy-efficient LED lighting and new, bolder crown motifs have been designed and installed.

The full scope of work included:

• Excavating the old pipe work and replacing it with a new underground pipe system
• Installing a GRP (glass reinforced plastic) lining to prevent future leakage
• Replacing the water pumps with state-of-the-art, energy-efficient pumps which will provide an attractive water display and recycle the water
• Refurbishing the cobble mosaic 
• Installing four granite and basalt stone crowns shapes which were water cut for accuracy
• Installing LED lamps to enhance the water display with a light display
• Repair and replacement of the stone surround structures
• Refurbishing fountain apparatus and filtration system to ensure ongoing compliance with modern standards
• Enhancing the surrounding planting
• Both the new pumps and lights are computer controlled and can cycle through different patterns of water jets and coloured light

Councillor Spiros Vassiliou, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Heritage comments: “The Queen’s Peace Fountain is a prominent feature within our central parks. It is known for its peace vigils and an area people can go to, to show solidarity following national or global events. The improvements that have been made to this cultural monument really are impressive and have made it much more sustainable for people to enjoy for many years to come.”