Councillors order rethink on steel pillars for park entrance

The new entrance and square to West Park was to be formed by up to five columns over two metres high, in the same type of orangey-red steel used to make the Angel of the North.

The blocks were going to be laser cut by a local firm with images of the original entrance, formed with small dots backlit with LED lighting which react to movement.

Although they supported the principal of the scheme, most councillors balked at the modern design.

Afterwards Coun Nadine Fudge said she feared the steel would end up looking "tatty" in a few years.

And Coun Sean Chaytor thought proposed bollards looked "like tank traps" and didn't believe the steel would work. He said: "I thought it was inappropriate and obtrusive and not suitable for its job. The general consensus was that we would have been quite happy with a brick rather than steel entrance."

Developers Gateway have now been asked to take another look at elements of the scheme including the pillars, fencing and lighting.

Project manager Garry Taylor said: "They could have turned it down outright but they have approved it with the proviso that we come back to the committee.

"We will have discussions with the designers and put together a number of different options and hopefully mock up those options so there can be a greater level of debate."

The approval means groundworks for the scheme can start as planned in March.

The work, which is being funded by the taxpayer via Gateway, will cost 1.4m and are all part of plans to lure visitors back to the park, now dominated by the KC Stadium.