Protesters demand £1m Quantum Leap inquiry

Protesters have launched a petition calling for an inquiry after the final cost of Shrewsbury's controversial Quantum Leap sculpture – dubbed the Slinky – topped £1 million.

Hundreds were expected to demonstrate at the site in Mardol Quay today after the final bill for the project rocketed when an independent adjudicator ruled that Shropshire Council would be liable for the extra costs incurred by the project being delayed.

Campaigners are now seeking an investigation into whether the project offers value for money.

Councillor Jon Tandy, who has helped to arrange the protest, said: "We will be passing around a petition asking for the District Auditor to see if it was value for money."

He said he wanted to see some responsibility taken for the decisions that had led to the sculpture costing more than £1 million.

"Somebody somewhere needs to take the accountability of saying 'Where was the needs analysis? Where was the public saying they wanted this piece of art and where was the consultation?'," he said.

"This is £1 million of taxpayers money."

The Quantum Leap project was originally started by Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council before responsibility was passed on to Shropshire Council when the former authority was dissolved in 2009.

During the summer of that year problems were discovered which had to be corrected and led to a delay in the project, which was completed in March 2010.

Following a ruling by an independent adjudicator earlier this month that the fault lay with an 'inadequate design specification', SABC was deemed liable for the delay, with Shropshire Council left to pick up a tab that included a £410,000 payment to Alun Griffiths Contractors and legal costs of £115,000. The sculpture had been due to cost £483,000.

Meanwhile, Councillor Tandy also today raised concerns that the council has now employed Alun Griffiths Contractors again to carry out an eight-week project on Smithfield Road.

But Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council cabinet member for transport, said: "We have a range of projects taking place across the county and these are subject to our robust procurement rules which Alun Griffiths are able to tender for."

By Chris Burn