£50,000 sculpture may be moved to Hadleigh Farm after Olympics (From Echo)
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£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
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)
APR
says...
10:04am Wed 11 Jul 12
....Cue comment deletion....
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
10:06am Wed 11 Jul 12
Barry Bas
says...
10:11am Wed 11 Jul 12
Sim0n
says...
10:48am Wed 11 Jul 12
Stephen Castle said public opinion will be considered on its final location.
R85
says...
11:03am Wed 11 Jul 12
Truth Will Prevail
says...
11:16am Wed 11 Jul 12
.
How about where the sun don't shine...
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
11:25am Wed 11 Jul 12
Sim0n wrote:is this inaccurate reporting from Th Echo?
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.
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.
R85
says...
12:12pm Wed 11 Jul 12
APR
says...
12:22pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Sim0n
says...
12:56pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Keith London
says...
4:41pm Wed 11 Jul 12
notinwestcliffanymore
says...
5:17pm Wed 11 Jul 12
APR wrote:any proof, or just more waffle.
I wonder how many back hander's were involved with the commissioning of the sculpture. ....Cue comment deletion....
soul man
says...
7:04pm Wed 11 Jul 12
Keith London wrote: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
A true and lasting "legacy" that Hadleigh residents can be truly proud of the greatest weekend in their lives.
APR
says...
7:14pm Wed 11 Jul 12
notinwestcliffanymorI simply posed the question, I didn't make any accusations.
e wrote:
APR wrote:any proof, or just more waffle.
I wonder how many back hander's were involved with the commissioning of the sculpture. ....Cue comment deletion....
Nebs
says...
8:17pm Wed 11 Jul 12
The Cater Wood Creeper wrote:Someone's already nicked the spokes and handlebars.
it'll get nicked for scrap if it's put anywhere out of the view of the general public, probably
Sweet P
says...
10:05am Thu 12 Jul 12
Give it to the foreigners who carried the torch through Hadleigh to remind them of their special day.
termite1944
says...
6:37pm Sun 15 Jul 12
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!
kde says...
8:45am Wed 11 Jul 12