A KEY part of a £2.3million town centre revitalisation scheme it at risk because of a row over a fountain which hasn’t worked for 16 years.

Improvements to the middle of Bacup and its ‘public realm’ could stall over local Tory councillor Jimmy Eaton’s objections to a new road scheme which would remove the 1950’s stone structure.

The dispute came to a head at a meeting of the Bacup Townscape Heritage Initiative Board on Tuesday night.

It is seeking urgent approval from Lancashire County Council for its contribution of £380,000 to the £747,000 public realm element of the regeneration, which redraws the traffic system creating more space for pedestrians and events.

To get this the board needs the backing of Rossendale East’s County Cllr Eaton, who told chairman Andy MacNae he would not support it without a new consultation with residents over the future of the fountain currently filled with flowers.

Under the controversial proposals the existing roundabout would be replace with two mini-roundabouts, relocate a bus stop, create five new pedestrian crossings and provide new loading bays and more disabled parking spaces.

Work is due start in March next year if it gets the final go-ahead.

Cllr Eaton said: “I don’t see why the fountain should go. The people of Bacup, as was clear from a vote a public meeting, want to keep it which can easily be incorporated into the scheme.

“I would like to see the fountain, which has not had flowing water for 16 years, repaired and working from the THI money.

“This is not me being awkward and my position has always been clear but I was not properly involved in the consultations. I want them to ask local people by letter for their views.”

Cllr MacNae refused saying a decision by the county council was needed by Tuesday or the public realm scheme would lose the cash its needs, including £350,000 from the National Lottery contribution to the overall THI renovation of the town.

He said: “Cllr Eaton is being short-sighted and letting down the people of Bacup.

“This fountain does not work.

“We will put a new central feature in under the proposals and keeping the fountain would affect the whole scheme and remove the amount of space for the public,pedestrians and events we are proposing.

“The proposal will improve the image of Bacup, bring in new visitors and much-needed investment.”

County Cllr Peter Steen, who represents Whitworth and Bacup, who was not at the meeting said he opposed the current scheme.

A motion passed at the board warns the county council:”In the absence of a county council decision the default position will be to stop the public realm project (as it stands).”