Fountain fiasco continues

The beleaguered Diana, Princess of Wales memorial fountain is to be closed for four months to carry out work costing £200,000.

And the main element of the plan to save the fountain - which has suffered a series of crises since its opening in the summer is ... thicker grass.

Experts conclude the only way to stop the surrounding lawns becoming a dangerously slippery quagmire after rain is to lay more rye grass, which is tougher than other varieties.

Work will also be carried out on drainage. It is hoped it will open again on 1 May.

A Royal Parks spokesman said the fountain had been a victim of its own success. In the opening fortnight up to 5,000 people an hour visited, causing serious erosion.

The spokesman said: "We did not anticipate 5,000 people an hour so we are getting better turf in place, but it needs time to settle. The 35mm turf is really durable but there's no point putting it down and then letting thousands run across it two weeks later. This work will make sure that, come May, the memorial will be able to take however many people visit."

The grass is already roped off. Visitors approach on an allweather covering and can only view from designated areas.

Designed by American Kathryn Gustafson, the Diana Memorial fountain was opened by the Queen on 6 July. Its problems began the next morning when leaves caused flooding. Over the summer, three visitors slipped while paddling on its stone steps.

After a visit by health and safety experts, the fountain was switched off until stone surfaces could be roughened. Now signs display safety rules and six stewards patrol the site. Greg McErlean, of the Royal

Parks major projects team, said of the latest repairs: "This is the first opportunity we have had to do this important work.

"The programme has required expert input from soil scientists, stonemasons, landscape designers and many others. The Memorial has had its problems but this work will ensure that it is truly a special place of relaxation and remembrance for years to come."

Work begins on 10 January, and includes improving wheelchair access and drainage and cordoning off the gaps under the bridges, with metal bars, to stop children getting trapped there.

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