Major restoration works to a key landmark, the Gdynia Fountain are taking place this week.
The fountain on St Andrews Cross roundabout, a gateway to the city centre is having important improvement works, playing a part in restoring civic pride in Plymouth.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Nick Kelly said: “I want our city centre to be something our residents are proud of and restoring this city landmark is a great move in that direction.
“The position of the fountain as part of the gateway to our city centre, as well as its cultural link to our Polish twin Gdynia means these works are especially important.
“This is also brilliantly timed with a visit from Gdynia-based tall ship The Dar Mlodziezy, which is looking very striking in Plymouth Sound right now.”
The newly restored fountain will be managed remotely with a smart system that will allow light and water movements to synchronise together, creating impressive water displays.
Teams are busy installing seven new invertor driven pumps, new electrics, LED lights, wind sensors, level sensors, a new control panel and a chloride dosing pump which will keep the pond free from algae.
The fountain was built in 1986 as a commemorative installation in the heart of the city 10 years after Plymouth and Gdynia were twinned and has been a prominent monument ever since.
Plymouth and Gdynia first entered into a twinning agreement in 1976 after a suggestion was put forward by the Plymouth Anglo-Polish Cultural Society. It was considered to be one the first active links between cities in the UK and Poland.
Gdynia is the namesake of several city landmarks, including Gdynia Way, one of the key routes into Plymouth.
The bridge over Gdynia Way recently benefitted from some new art work, which was designed by James Edgar following his visit to Gdynia. The design was inspired by ideas he gained from working with the children from the Plymouth Saturday Polish School.
The works are being part funded as part the Plymouth High Street Heritage Action Zone project.
The Heritage Action Zone project is working on other public realm improvements in the city centre including restoration of the ponds within the civic square and improvements to the bus stops along Royal Parade. See the HAZ webpage for more details: