Artwork bill criticised

The Taxpayers' Alliance today waded into the row over Shrewsbury's Quantum Leap sculpture - claiming those responsible for commissioning it should face "serious consequences".

The group, which campaigns for the rights of taxpayers across the country, said the spiralling cost of the artwork, built as a memorial to Shrewsbury-born Charles Darwin, was a "disgrace".

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It comes after Shropshire Council agreed to spend an extra £100,000 of taxpayers' money on the sculpture in Mardol Quay Gardens with the final budget now expected to be £450,000.

Since it was unveiled last week the 12-metre high sculpture has received a mixed reception from members of the public.

Suzie Squires, political director for the Taxpayers' Alliance, today said serious questions needed to be asked over the commissioning of the scheme by the former borough council.

She said: "The need for such an expensive sculpture is questionable at the best of times but at a time of economic difficulty it is even worse.

"But the fact that it was allowed, like many public sector projects, to overrun by such a large amount of money is a disgrace.

"There needs to be serious questions asked about the procedures and the commissioning and construction of the sculpture and I think those responsible for wasting such a large amount of taxpayers' money need to face serious consequences.

"It is not acceptable to treat taxpayers' money like a blank cheque and those who have wasted it should be held to account."

But Jon King, the Darwin co-ordinator for the town, defended the artwork. He said: "In this bicentenary year it was important that Shrewsbury staked its claim to Darwin in the town where his mind developed.

"Quantum Leap is a bold statement and I am confident that in years to come it will become an iconic sculpture recognised across the world."

Rian Huxley, a spokeswoman for Shropshire Council, defended the costs, saying work was already under way when the council was formed and added it would have been a "considerable waste of taxpayers' money" to stop the project.

By Russell Roberts