Darwin structure is out of line

The £350,000 sculpture being built to celebrate the bicentenary of Charles Darwin, Shrewsbury's most famous son, has been hit by technical problems which may never be resolved, it was revealed today.

The 12m-high Quantum Leap, which is being erected in Mardol Gardens, is reportedly incorrectly aligned and as much as 18in off course at the top of the structure.

Shropshire Council business development manager Dominic Wallis, who is helping to lead the project, said he was hopeful the problems would be rectified.

He said: "As far as I am aware there are some issues with the alignment and the contractor and contract administrators are trying to resolve the issues.

"It's difficult to say how far it is out as it is only on one particular angle and you can only just about notice it.

"It's something I have noticed because I have lived and breathed the project for so long."

However, he said it was possible that the problem could not be corrected. "I hope it can, but it could be that it's unresolvable," he said. "I just don't know."

Mr Wallis said, although the sculpture may not be able to be put straight, it would still be able to stand proudly across the river from the new £28 million Theatre Severn.

He said: "It is rock solid and it's not going to move."

No-one at contractor Alun Griffiths was available for comment on the issue.

By Russell Roberts