12/06/2008 03:25:00
The Scotland-England border looks likely to get its own Angel of the North in the future, as funds are agreed to support a landmark artwork in Gretna.
According to officials, the aim of the project is to recognise Gretna's role as the "gateway" between Scotland and England, as well as creating a piece of public art to rival Newcastle/Gateshead's Angel of the North.
The cost of the construction is expected to fall into the region of £2-3 million. The BBC states that £50, 000 will be put forward by Dumfries and Galloway Council for the first stage of the artwork.
The rest of the money will be put forward by Scottish Enterprise and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, as part of a strategy to encourage regeneration in the south Scotland area following the closure of the Chapelcross power plant near Annan in Dumfries and Galloway.
The Angel of the North, designed by sculptor Anthony Gormley, is one of the most viewed pieces of art in the world, with more 33 million paying homage annually.
Over 10 million vehicles pass the A74(M) motorway near Gretna every year, so officials are hopeful that this success can be repeated in Scotland.
Planning committee chairman, Roger Grant, said: "The project would offer a fantastic opportunity to put the area on the map and raise our profile.
"It would be landmark icon that would be identified with the region and, like the Angel of the North, become a destination in its own right."
Ebbsfleet in Kent is also in the process of constructing its own rival to the Angel of the North.
The five proposals for the public artwork are currently on display at the Bluewater shopping centre, and will be announced in autumn this year.