A RESIDENT from Letchworth GC has raised concerns over “green slime” at the site of the town’s new fountains, part of an �8m street scheme project in the town completed in June.

Anthony Allen, of Berkeley, Letchworth GC, noticed the slime last week and contacted Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, who were behind the scheme, about the problem in Leys Square.

He said: “There is green slime at the fountains in Leys Square.

“To be honest it is beginning to look a bit shabby.

“It’s all been done at no expense to the tax payer but the council have got to clean it. What with all these cuts coming is it going to be cleaned?

“The whole thing doesn’t seem to be thought out and it’s a shame as they’ve gone to a lot of trouble.”

Responding to the concerns, Adrian Brace, director of property at the Foundation, said: “North Herts District Council (NHDC) and the Foundation are aware that there is a problem with algae, not in the fountain jets in Leys Square, but on the nearby surface of the granite paving.

“It is not unusual to have a build-up of algae on regular wet or damp pavements, and in order to resolve this specific issue as soon as possible, we are working closely with the council to find a solution.

“We are already working closely with the council, having very recently purchased a cleaning machine and ancillary equipment to use in the town centre.”

Vaughan Watson, head of leisure and environment at NHDC, added: “We are currently in discussions with the Foundation in order to provide a suitable cleansing solution for the paving around the fountains.”