Concerns Raised Over Disappearing Water Trough
Could Medfield Street fountain suffer the same fate?
Concern is growing over the fate of the area's remaining historic water fountain after the disappearance of a water trough in Roehampton.
In June this year the Putney Society were considering listing the trough situated at the junction of Norstead Place and the A3, which had been on the site since 1896. The listing was suggested by Steve Fannon who described it: "almost unknown on this unloved corner for a very long time".
The gravel has since been removed and the area tiled:
However in October it had gone.
The Alton Regeneration Watch wrote to the Drinking Fountain Association (DFA) requesting its return. However their response drew attention to the DFA request to Wandsworth Council regarding restoring the trough - the response form the Council to the DFA in October was that the tough "was no longer under their jurisdiction and was now under control of Transport for London who agreed for its removal".
Through a Freedom of Information (FoI) request the Council informed Alton Regeneration Watch that the DFA recommended the removal of the trough but TfL refused with the promise of funding to restore the trough - however TfL then permitted the removal by DFA:
In a FoI request to TfL the following has been made clear that the DFA took the trough and that it was to be taken to relocate at Leith Hill a
National Trust property in Surrey. TfL confirmed that they were notified of MDFCTA’s intention to remove the cattle trough
began on 3 September 2015.
In an email to TfL from WBC dated 31 July the Council advised that they were considering listing the trough, “Whilst it
is not currently listed or in a conservation area it nevertheless is of
significance in terms of local heritage value. We will be consulting the
public and organisations in the autumn on a draft Historic Environment SPD
and local listing.” This would indicate a moderate level of support for
its retention, although not explicit.
This website has requested more information from the local councillors, and Justine Greening as both have been approached by Alton Regeneration Watch to have the trough returned, however no response has been received.
Alton Regeneration Watch are concerned that the fate of the trough may befall the drinking fountain on Medfield Street, (pictured above). The fountain was erected in 1882. Made of grey and red granite the doric arcaded kiosk was erected by Mrs Lyne Stephens. The fountain has a cupola and ball finial on stepped plinth flanked by cambered-shape horse troughs north and south. Circular central basin with bronze fountain group was created by Henry Dasson of putti and fish. Semi-circular basin set into each of 4 sides of kiosk: "It
is also, as we understand it, part of the Drinking Fountain Association remit and this too does not appear to be maintained. Potentially, could this also disappear from Roehampton?"
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The Alton Regeneration Watch are encouraging residents to asked to write to the Council to ask for the Medfield drinking fountains to be maintained - copy Councillor Humphries (ghumphries@wandsworth.gov.uk) who is the Chair for the Wandsworth (Conservation Area) Advisory Committee. Click here for an update form Cllr Humpries.
We have asked The Putney Society for comment.
December 2, 2016