A KIOSK and wind turbine installed as part of a multi-million pound park regeneration project are still not up and running after nearly 12 months.

A KIOSK and wind turbine installed as part of a multi-million pound park regeneration project are still not up and running after nearly 12 months.

The two features, were put in place in the Lower Arboretum in Christchurch Park, Ipswich in December last year however there is currently no outside contractor to run the kiosk and a technical fault is preventing the turbine from working.

They were installed as part of the £4.5 million restoration project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Ipswich Borough Council but whereas most new facilities at the park have flourished, these two features have halted progress.

The wind turbine, which is 11 metres tall and cost £15,000, was designed to generate power for the pavilion with any excess energy sold back to the National Grid.

An Ipswich Borough Council spokesman said: “The trouble is it has never worked and we believe there are technical problems.

“We are talking to suppliers and the designer to try and sort it out.

“We share people's frustration because we think the turbine is an excellent idea but that is no good unless it actually works.

“We hope to have all these things sorted by the Spring.”

Although the turbine is not situated in the highest area of the park, it is not believed that its location is the issue but rather a technical fault.

Sam Pollard, park manager, explained that no one currently holds the contract to run the kiosk, which serves refreshments for park goers.

Mr Pollard said: “We are working on a contract with someone to go in there and man that kiosk. We did have a contract in place but it did not work out for them. We are updating the contract for the kiosk and offering it out to tender.

“We hope to open the kiosk all year. We are putting together a practical plan. We would want to open it every weekend of the year and maybe everyday during the some periods in the summer.”

What do you think of these two buildings out of action? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk