Gurkha memorial set to be relocated

NUNEATON’S proud Gurkha memorial will have to be moved as part of multi-million pound plans to tackle the town’s notorious traffic problems.

The unique monument, which currently stands on the edge of Riversley Park, will have to be relocated under the £21.5m plans to change the ring road.

It was unveiled to honour the Gurkha soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice and fought over the past 200 years.

But it has been confirmed by Warwickshire County Council that it will have to be moved to make way for work in the town.

However, a Shire Hall spokesperson said that its relocation will be carried out in consultation with the local branch of the Nuneaton and Bedworth branch of the British Gurkha Veterans Association (BGVA).

“Under the preferred new plans for the Nuneaton town centre’s road network, thegurkhamemorial would need to be relocated,” the spokesperson said.

“We are liaising with The BritishGurkhaVeterans Association and they are aware of our plans.

“We are in regular contact with them and will be consulting with them when we progress with a detailed design for the new road network.”

It was officialy unveiled in 2015 and then, the following year, actress and Gurkha campaigner Joanna Lumley paid a special visit to the memorial. The UK Ambassador for Nepal has also taken part in services for the memorial.

The monument cements the long and proud links Nuneaton has with the Gurkha regiment at nearby Bramcote barracks.

It will become part of the borough’s history with the regiment, which is due to leave Gamecock barracks under MOD plans.

But the monument does not just recognise the miltary links, it also celebrates the fact that many former soldiers and their families have chosen to make the town their home - and have become a huge part of the community.

So much so that the country’s first ever Gurkha pub was opened in a former social club in Nuneaton. The local branch of the British Gurkha Veterans Association (BGVA) has always wanted to add more features to the memorial.

They unveiled plans for a £100,000 memorial wall, memorial benches and a memorial statue.

It is understood that 13 special, ornate benches have been made and are ready to be installed around the park.