ARTISTS fear for the future of a large mosaic in Basildon town centre, once regeneration plans take place.

The 160,000-piece mosaic, on the side of Blenheim House, at the Basildon bus terminus, shows a timeline of the town and was made in the Sixties.

But plans mapping out the Basildon Masterplan do not disclose whether the artwork is going to remain as part of the town centre.

This has worried local artists who admire the art, with many claiming they will fight to make sure it has a place within the town.

A group of artists has asked for a meeting with Barrett Wilson Bowden, the chosen developer for the project, about keeping the timeline.

Their anxiety comes after a decision was made to move the Woodman sculpture from Basildon to Wat Tyler Country Park, despite public disapproval.

Vin Harrop, the director of the Foundation of Essex Arts, believes the timeline is an important cultural item for the town.

He said: “The mosaic should be saved or at least re-incorporated somewhere else within Basildon, and I will fight tooth and nail to keep it.

“If Blenheim House is knocked down, I do wonder what will happen to the 160,000 pieces which make up the artwork as it would be difficult to get rid of them.

“I have spoken to other artists and they have all said it needs to stay and it would be a real tragedy to lose it, because it is part and parcel of the town.”

Basildon Council said it is planning to improve the bus terminus as part of the masterplan, but no detailed work has so far been decided.

Michael Mowe, assistant councillor responsible for the environment, leisure and arts, agrees in principle to keeping the mosaic.

He said: “I think any heritage relating to Basildon should somehow be incorporated into any new development or regeneration. The mosaic is part of our heritage.”