Orchid Sculpture Delayed Due To Rising Costs

THE creation of a sculpture inspired by the rare orchids of North Swindon will be delayed due to escalating costs.

The original design was for a 12-metre structure costing £94,000, which would be paid for by the consortium of developers involved in the nearby Priory Vale housing estate.

But the designers were given approval to increase the height to 15 metres so the sculpture would have more impact.

The final cost for the structure ­ dubbed the Angel of the West ­ is now being calculated and the start date for producing the artwork will be known once the funding is finalised.

Work was originally due to start this spring.

Councillor Justin Tomlinson, (Con, Abbey Meads) lead member for Cultural Services and Recreation, said the final details of the sculpture are now being drawn up

He said: "Rising costs during the design development have resulted in a delay in the commissioning programme.

"I am pleased to stress that this project is being commissioned through external funding and is not council taxpayers' money."

The sculpture is officially called Junction 1 due to its location on the North Swindon Orbital Road at the junction of Thamesdown Drive and Cricklade Road.

It is based on the aerial view of the junction where it is located with three slightly differing sides to reflect three approaches to the junction.

Pink shattered glass would be used to reflect the colour of the green-winged orchids, which thrive in the area and have been adopted as the emblem of the Priory Vale development.

Chris Bagot of Softroom, the London company that is designing the orchid, has previously said the metal surface will reflect atmospheric changes during the day.

He said that internal lighting, shining through pink and red glass at night will give the statue a different look after dark.