£50,000 sculpture may be moved to Hadleigh Farm after Olympics

7:50am Wednesday 11th July 2012 in Local News By Jacqueline McMillan

Moving? The sculpture Moving? The sculpture

A £50,000 sculpture on the A13, designed to celebrate the Olympic mountain biking event, could be moved after the Games.

The steel structure was installed by Essex County Council on the Victoria House Roundabout linking London Road, Benfleet Road and Rayleigh Road, in Hadleigh, to commemorate the 2012 Olympics.

The artwork, depicting a cyclist riding on rocky terrain, is aimed at providing a lasting legacy to Hadleigh being chosen as one of only ten venues outside London to host an Olympic event.

However, residents fear it could be relocated to Hadleigh Farm after the mountain biking on August 11 and 12. Essex County Council confirmed a move is being considered.

Frustrated resident Bill Tiffin, of Arcadian Gardens, Hadleigh, claims repositioning it would leave it open to vandalism.

He said: “It is absolutely ludicrous. If they truly want it to be a legacy to the Games then the roundabout is already a great location, because everyone can see the sculpture as it’s right at the heart of the area.

“It is crazy to relocate it after all the work and money that has gone into it.

“If they put it in Hadleigh Farm it will just get vandalised and completely ruined because it will be out of sight, which would be a huge waste of money.”

It is understood contractors on site said the installation would only remain on the roundabout for a few weeks.

The concerns come after the Echo revealed the double standards of County Hall installing the sculpture before gaining appropriate planning permission from Castle Point Council.

An Essex County Council spokesman admitted Hadleigh Farm was being considered as a permanent venue.

He said: “One option being considered is a move to the Hadleigh Mountain Bike Venue to give future visitors an opportunity to reflect on the Games and the inspiring effect that this has had on the county.

“The sculpture will not be moved in six weeks and we will take on the views and opinions of residents to see where they would like this sculpture to be placed.”

Comments (18)

8:45am Wed 11 Jul 12

kde says...

50k for that piece of junk!
50k for that piece of junk! kde

10:04am Wed 11 Jul 12

APR says...

I wonder how many back hander's were involved with the commissioning of the sculpture.

....Cue comment deletion....
I wonder how many back hander's were involved with the commissioning of the sculpture. ....Cue comment deletion.... APR

10:06am Wed 11 Jul 12

The Cater Wood Creeper says...

it'll get nicked for scrap if it's put anywhere out of the view of the general public, probably
it'll get nicked for scrap if it's put anywhere out of the view of the general public, probably The Cater Wood Creeper

10:11am Wed 11 Jul 12

Barry Bas says...

I've not seen it in the flesh so to speak but just by looking at the picture it seems to be more designed by CAD and built by machine rather than "sculpted".
I've not seen it in the flesh so to speak but just by looking at the picture it seems to be more designed by CAD and built by machine rather than "sculpted". Barry Bas

10:48am Wed 11 Jul 12

Sim0n says...

It is not made of Steel it has hardly any metal at all so theft is not likely.
Stephen Castle said public opinion will be considered on its final location.
It is not made of Steel it has hardly any metal at all so theft is not likely. Stephen Castle said public opinion will be considered on its final location. Sim0n

11:03am Wed 11 Jul 12

R85 says...

Is it a Paralympic sculpture? I only ask because where’s his darn hands and feet?
Is it a Paralympic sculpture? I only ask because where’s his darn hands and feet? R85

11:16am Wed 11 Jul 12

Truth Will Prevail says...

An Essex County Council spokesman said "We will take on the views and opinions of residents to see where they would like this sculpture to be placed.”
.
How about where the sun don't shine...
An Essex County Council spokesman said "We will take on the views and opinions of residents to see where they would like this sculpture to be placed.” . How about where the sun don't shine... Truth Will Prevail

11:25am Wed 11 Jul 12

The Cater Wood Creeper says...

Sim0n wrote:
It is not made of Steel it has hardly any metal at all so theft is not likely. Stephen Castle said public opinion will be considered on its final location.
is this inaccurate reporting from Th Echo?

The steel structure was installed by Essex County Council on the Victoria House Roundabout linking London Road, Benfleet Road and Rayleigh Road, in Hadleigh, to commemorate the 2012 Olympics.



Having not yet had the opportunity to view the sculpture in real life, I based my comment on this extract from the report.
[quote][p][bold]Sim0n[/bold] wrote: It is not made of Steel it has hardly any metal at all so theft is not likely. Stephen Castle said public opinion will be considered on its final location.[/p][/quote]is this inaccurate reporting from Th Echo? [quote]The steel structure was installed by Essex County Council on the Victoria House Roundabout linking London Road, Benfleet Road and Rayleigh Road, in Hadleigh, to commemorate the 2012 Olympics. [/quote] Having not yet had the opportunity to view the sculpture in real life, I based my comment on this extract from the report. The Cater Wood Creeper

12:12pm Wed 11 Jul 12

R85 says...

So what is some kind of composite material?
So what is some kind of composite material? R85

12:22pm Wed 11 Jul 12

APR says...

Either way, it's hardly a work of art.
Either way, it's hardly a work of art. APR

12:56pm Wed 11 Jul 12

Sim0n says...

I think it is a representation of the Olympic Icon used for Mountain Biking
I think it is a representation of the Olympic Icon used for Mountain Biking Sim0n

4:41pm Wed 11 Jul 12

Keith London says...

A true and lasting "legacy" that Hadleigh residents can be truly proud of the greatest weekend in their lives.
A true and lasting "legacy" that Hadleigh residents can be truly proud of the greatest weekend in their lives. Keith London

5:17pm Wed 11 Jul 12

notinwestcliffanymore says...

APR wrote:
I wonder how many back hander's were involved with the commissioning of the sculpture. ....Cue comment deletion....
any proof, or just more waffle.
[quote][p][bold]APR[/bold] wrote: I wonder how many back hander's were involved with the commissioning of the sculpture. ....Cue comment deletion....[/p][/quote]any proof, or just more waffle. notinwestcliffanymore

7:04pm Wed 11 Jul 12

soul man says...

Keith London wrote:
A true and lasting "legacy" that Hadleigh residents can be truly proud of the greatest weekend in their lives.
i can think of better ways to say the greatest w/end of someones life, not watching bmx bikers falling in the mud and slurry, cos thats the reality
[quote][p][bold]Keith London[/bold] wrote: A true and lasting "legacy" that Hadleigh residents can be truly proud of the greatest weekend in their lives.[/p][/quote]i can think of better ways to say the greatest w/end of someones life, not watching bmx bikers falling in the mud and slurry, cos thats the reality soul man

7:14pm Wed 11 Jul 12

APR says...

notinwestcliffanymor
e wrote:
APR wrote:
I wonder how many back hander's were involved with the commissioning of the sculpture. ....Cue comment deletion....
any proof, or just more waffle.
I simply posed the question, I didn't make any accusations.
[quote][p][bold]notinwestcliffanymor e[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]APR[/bold] wrote: I wonder how many back hander's were involved with the commissioning of the sculpture. ....Cue comment deletion....[/p][/quote]any proof, or just more waffle.[/p][/quote]I simply posed the question, I didn't make any accusations. APR

8:17pm Wed 11 Jul 12

Nebs says...

The Cater Wood Creeper wrote:
it'll get nicked for scrap if it's put anywhere out of the view of the general public, probably
Someone's already nicked the spokes and handlebars.
[quote][p][bold]The Cater Wood Creeper[/bold] wrote: it'll get nicked for scrap if it's put anywhere out of the view of the general public, probably[/p][/quote]Someone's already nicked the spokes and handlebars. Nebs

10:05am Thu 12 Jul 12

Sweet P says...

If this is to be someones "greatest weekend of their lives" their lives are sadly lacking!
Give it to the foreigners who carried the torch through Hadleigh to remind them of their special day.
If this is to be someones "greatest weekend of their lives" their lives are sadly lacking! Give it to the foreigners who carried the torch through Hadleigh to remind them of their special day. Sweet P

6:37pm Sun 15 Jul 12

termite1944 says...

It is on a roundabout, looks unfinished and is a distraction for motorist, in other words it is a hazard!

It does nothing to tell folk why it is there, I had to ask lot of people in Hadleigh to get the right answer!

50k could have been better spent making Hadleigh look like a nice village rather than a grotty hamlet that one passes through! Blink and you miss it ... put the money where it is really needed!
It is on a roundabout, looks unfinished and is a distraction for motorist, in other words it is a hazard! It does nothing to tell folk why it is there, I had to ask lot of people in Hadleigh to get the right answer! 50k could have been better spent making Hadleigh look like a nice village rather than a grotty hamlet that one passes through! Blink and you miss it ... put the money where it is really needed! termite1944

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