Council’s tribute to Romans is a white elephant, say critics
COUNCILLORS in Colchester are preparing to spend £100,000 on a statue of an elephant at a roundabout to commemorate a Roman emperor.
The bronze sculpture was inspired by Emperor Claudius’s arrival at Colchester, Essex, with a “herd of elephants to celebrate the victory of the Roman invasion in AD43”.
It is hoped the model on the Albert roundabout, which has been designed by architecture company Dallas Pierce Quintero, will become an “iconic” landmark as people enter the borough.
Approval for the monument was set to be decided on by the Essex county council planning committee last night but Will Quince, the MP for Colchester, has described the cost of the project as unjustifiable.
The Tory MP tweeted: “Colchester Council has decided to spend £100,000 of your infrastructure money on a giant elephant sculpture on the Albert roundabout.
“I think this is unjustifiable – if you agree, please contact your local councillor and let them know what you think.”
Many residents have criticised the monument – which is to be fitted with CCTV and 52 LEDS – with one person describing it as “a shocking waste”, while another called it a “metal eyesore”.
A council spokesman said: “If approved, [the sculpture] will provide an iconic addition to our borough with a wayfinding elephant sculpture directing people along an improved walking route from Colchester Station to our town centre.”