Fading artwork Council turned down option for tougher paint

BRISTOL City Council turned down two options to better install a failed city centre artwork using properly durable materials due to the high associated costs, the Post can reveal.

- Angus MCINTYRE

Our Common Ground, located on the Centre Promenade, has fallen into disrepair on multiple occasions since being installed in September.

At the council’s insistence, paint used for regular road markings was applied to the Promenade to create the artwork. That paint has proved to be far from durable, and the artwork has become worn and tired rather than the vibrant addition to the city centre it was intended to be.

Internal documents obtained by the Post have now confirmed the council considered two quotes to create the artwork using thermoplastic. This would have been much more resistant to foot traffic and inclement weather than the materials which were eventually used, but turned them down due to high costs.

“We have reduced the scope by not installing this project in thermoplastics (two quotes for this for 60k and 78k),” the document said.

“It is not possible to delay any of this spend as we need to complete this renovation works within weather timeframes as the paint cannot be applied when the weather is cold... This contract is Revenue funded and within budget.”