Water feature to run again!

The Cascade, the water feature on High Row, will run again this summer as part of plans to make the town centre more attractive.

The water feature, created by artist Michael Pinsky, as part of the pedestrianisation of the town centre, was inspired by the historic markets held in High Row.

It features a red granite barcode, which links the history of the market town to present-day commerce, whilst signifying the blood being washed down from the meat market.

Chris McEwan, Darlington Council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “It is fantastic that the water feature will be running again this summer. This is all part of our extensive plans to promote the town centre as a vibrant, exciting place to visit and to do business.

"Residents told us that the town centre is important to them and this is just one of many things we are doing to protect and promote it. It is important that we invest where we can in the town centre and that we encourage others to do the same.

“I visit the town centre almost daily and want to encourage everyone to come and see what’s on offer. We have a wide range of high street shops and independent traders as well as restaurants, bars and cafes. It really is a great place to be.”

The council is also supporting the town centre’s entry in this year’s Northumbria in Bloom competition.

The Cascade was turned off in 2016 as part of hard-hitting budget cuts following further reductions in government funding of the council.

In recent weeks work has been carried out to make the water feature more efficient to run and reduce maintenance.