DOES anyone know why Darlington cannot put water where it was intended?

We know that the three wall-mounted street drinking fountains will never see water again, but what has the council got against the Heritage Fountain in the Bull Wynd Garden, where married couples from the registry office are photographed? It is most unlike the photo in the Darlington Trail historical booklet, which shows the fountain working fully. In fact, it's starting to look rather tatty!

The expensive Market Cascade only seems to work half the year, if that. There must be a reason.

Then there's the fountain in South Park, and another one at Cockerton.

Only last week, a fountain on the Green at Norton-on-Tees started working and looks very attractive. However, the excellent water feature near MIMA in Middlesbrough has been totally ruined by the rails around it. It might as well not be there at all. Is this Health and Safety?

R Collier, Darlington.