WORK is set to begin to install three new drinking fountains across Colchester.

The work is being undertaken from Monday as part of Colchester Council’s Better Colchester campaign.

One will be installed in High Street, by the area known as Angels Yard, and a second at the Lower Castle Park toilets.

The drinking water fountain at Hollytrees Museum will be temporarily unavailable from Wednesday, while it is replaced by a new one.

The three new drinking fountains support Colchester’s Plastic Pledge to reduce the use of single use plastic items, as well as the national Refill campaign to keep Britain hydrated and to help prevent plastic pollution.

David King, the council’s business and resources boss, said: “Our new drinking water fountains will not only offer residents and visitors the opportunity to easily keep hydrated and healthy, they also support our commitment to reduce single use plastic.

“This council is setting an example. We have reduced our plastic waste. We recycle. We encourage businesses to do the same. And we encourage everyone – as the BBC have with their ‘War on Plastic’ series – to use reusable bottles.

“We all need to cut back or stop using single use bottles and other plastics. There are more than 25 town centre businesses already signed up to the national Refill campaign. Please download the app and find them and 20,000 other places. Each will provide free tap water.

“With our fountains and the Refill campaign, we really can make a difference in Colchester and prevent unnecessary plastic pollution. We must act now. And I urge our residents to go out and get a reusable bottle to make the most of the available drinking water in our town.”