MP Kawczynski calls for Quantum Leap investigation

Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski has joined calls for an investigation into the costs of the controversial £1 million Quantum Leap sculpture.

He said it was 'unacceptable' Shropshire taxpayers had been left to pick up the bill.

The Tory has written to the Civil Engineering Constructors Association for the Midlands to ask if the organisation can help him to find out how the costs of the project more than doubled from their original estimate of £483,000.

Earlier this month, it was revealed Shropshire Council would have to pay out an extra £410,000 to Alun Griffiths Contractors, as well as paying out an additional £115,000 in legal and advice fees.

An independent adjudicator ruled that delays to the project, caused by an incorrect alignment of the ribs on the structure, was the fault of an inadequate design specification from the now-defunct Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, resulting in the unitary council being left to pick up the bill.

In his letter, Mr Kawczynski said: "I do hope that you will understand the concerns I hold with regards to the large discrepancy between what the cost was originally understood to be as opposed to the actual total cost incurred, the bill of course being footed by the ratepayers of Shropshire, which in my view is unacceptable.

"As the company Alun Griffiths is associated to, I would therefore be grateful if you would perhaps be kind enough to advise me on how I could raise these concerns with you in order that they are investigated in an appropriate level of detail."

On Saturday, a protest took place about the final bill for the project, with campaigners calling for an inquiry by the district auditor into the costs of the scheme.