THE £4m bill for the new St George’s Square has today come under fire.
Huddersfield people got their first look at the revamped Square – complete with fountains that will be switched off in winter.
And although some liked parts of the project, the consensus was: It’s not worth the money.
But the senior Kirklees councillor who had overseen the final project insisted it was a great scheme and well worth the money.
Clr Peter McBride said: “People I have spoken to are delighted with the Square and it is going to do so much for Huddersfield.
“I think it’s magnificent and it sets off the beautiful buildings that surround it”.
Many visitors queried how the budget had soared to more than £1m over the original estimate.
Some welcomed the fountains and water features, but others said the money could have been better spent.
The new-look Square was unveiled on Thursday night, a year behind schedule, and yesterday many people took their first look at the paved areas, fountains and granite water feature.
The final cost has gone over £4m – a sum equivalent to 25 four-bedroom houses with garages in Birkby.
The money could also pay for 160 extra hospital nurses or 130 teachers for a year.
Some people thought the square looked fabulous and were taking great interest in the new features.
But others thought all the work has been a waste of money and should never have been done at all.
Christopher Marsden, of Huddersfield Gem and the Huddersfield Civic Society, described the water cascade at the bottom of the square as “one big urinal”.
He said: “How right the council is to suggest that the ‘waterwall’ will give a continental feel. Outdoor urinals have a long history on the continent and in France.
“St George’s Square epitomises the ‘big project’ where public money is spent to the taste of councillors after poor consultation and with opposition from the public.”
One woman from Shepley thought the fountains looked impressive but when she went to sit down on the benches nearby to watch the jets she realised the seat was soaking wet.
Children seemed taken with the jet fountains in front of the Square and many of them were enjoying playing in the water.
The water features will be switched on at 7.30am and turned off at 11pm each day.
The jet fountains will be turned off during the winter in case of frost and will be turned back on in spring, but the water cascade at the bottom of the square will operate all year round.
What the people say ... your view of the £4m revamp
Richard Denton, 44, pub licensee, Huddersfield: “It’s absolutely ridiculous, and a complete waste of tax-payers’ money.
“It would have been better if they’d finished it all off properly. Some of the Tarmacked bits around the side are an eye-sore because they haven’t been finished off properly.
“And they’ve spent all that time and effort down the end on the water feature and the water is just trickling off the edge.”
Geoffrey Bray, 86, of Meltham: “I came down to see what the Square looked like. It seems there’s just a wide open space but it’s interesting enough.
“It’s going to be useful for functions no doubt.
“It looks better than it was and I think people will take more of an interest.”
Lara Diamond, 32, performer, Slaithwaite: “It’s interesting that they’ve decided to put modern fountains with a Neoclassical building – I’m not sure whether it really goes.
“It’s also a bit wet for people passing by. I’m sure it will be great in the summer months though. They’ve spent £4m to do a few fountains.
“I’m under-whelmed and a bit taken aback with the cost. I’m not happy with the council.”
Hannah Clark, 19, student, Moldgreen: “It’s really good and it looks really nice but there doesn’t seem to be a proper drainage system.
“The train station could have done with a refurbishment inside and they have spent the money on something useful like lifts for disabled and elderly people.”
Lisa Newsome, 35, transport administrator, Gomersal, with boyfriend H: “It looks like the fountains at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and it will be nice in the summer.
“But I don’t think it’s worth the money though. They could have spent it on other things to draw people into Huddersfield.”
David Maynard, 50, Birkby:
“I think it’s gorgeous and completely different than it was before.
“You can sit and watch the fountains. It’s really peaceful and takes your worries away and your mind off things. I think it is money well spent.”
Jude Dunkley, 51, NHS employee, Beaumont Park: “I think they should have kept the old Victorian lights, they were more in keeping with the Square.
“But the rest of it looks nice and I think it will bring a lot of business in to the town.”
Mark Scott, NHS employee, Kirkburton: “It’s a waste of money. The first thing that came into my head when I saw the water feature is that it looks like a big urinal.
“I think they should have left it as it was and spent the money on refurbishing other parts of town like re-doing the roads.
“The Square was fine as it was and it’s worse now than it was before.”
John McHugh, 61, driver, Newsome: “I think it’s absolutely wonderful and I’m very happy living with it.
“I can’t understand all the negative comments it has had.
“But in the times that we’re living in at the moment it does seem like a lot of money and there’s a concern that the taxi drivers could be parking over the new stone and oil is spilling on it.”
Amanda Crawshaw, 39, IT director, Holmfirth: “I think it’s absolutely gorgeous. I’m sat here waiting for my husband and the kids and they are going to love it.
“£4m does seem like a lot of money but if you spent it in bits around the town it wouldn’t go very far or have much impact.
“I think we’ll get the money back with people coming out of the train station and thinking – this is a good town we’ll stay here a while and they’ll spend some money here.”
Raja Khan 39, taxi driver, Waterloo: “It is okay now but it looks better at night time when it’s all lit up.
“The fountain down at the bottom is very dim and could do with being a bit brighter.”
Matthew Beaumont, 36, architect, Longwood: “It’s almost there isn’t it? I think they could have sorted the traffic out a bit better and made the whole thing pedestrianised with a pick-up point.
“It’s quite nice but I think they could have done a bit better with the money.”
John Lambe, 40, Kirklees council officer, Oakes: “I was here last night with my son Aidan and he absolutely loved it.
“It will be a great space for public use. People seem really interested and the water feature makes a great wishing well.”
Philip Kaye, 75, Meltham: “The Square is fine but it’s a lot of money. I cannot see how it’s going to cost £50,000 to maintain the water feature.
“This has been done so Kirklees Council can draw money from food markets and a Christmas fair.It hasn’t been done for people to sit and have a look at.”
