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The report finds the project was poorly managed and costs ran
out of control, leaving the Royal Parks with an annual maintenance bill of £250,000.

Mr Bacon said: “The Memorial Fountain is a fitting monument and tribute to the Princess.  The area of the fountain is beautiful and peaceful and I would recommend people to see it for themselves, as many thousands are now doing”. 

“It is deeply regrettable that easily avoidable mistakes and poor project management turned this excellent memorial into a punch line.  For instance, I can scarcely believe nobody realised that water spraying onto turf and soil in what was already a marshy area would result in a quagmire”. 

“I am glad the problems have now been sorted out.  The fountain is now one of the best places to go in any park in London”. 

Mr Bacon added: “My first job on leaving university was as an assistant gardener for the Royal Parks, so I know just how hard the staff are working to provide first class green spaces for all to enjoy.  I have great admiration for their skills and I congratulate them on what they doing”.

“The Royal Parks do need to be more creative in generating income, though, for example through the sale of branded merchandise which could prove very popular”. 

The Royal Parks currently face a £65 million backlog of maintenance work, which must be met from an annual income of around £7 million.  The report finds there is untapped potential for the Royal Parks to increase income from its assets, although it has little information about the profitability of some income generating activities.

21 March 2006

See also:
PAC REPORT: The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain
PARLIAMENT: MP slams 'lucky dip' Dome deal

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