June 5, 2018 3.42 pm This story is over 69 months old

Scunthorpe steelworkers sculpture plans

The sculpture would commemorate the work of steelworkers past and present

Visuals of the proposed Scunthorpe steelworkers statue.

Plans for a sculpture to celebrate Scunthorpe steelworkers past and present have been submitted by North Lincolnshire Council.

The authority is seeking planning permission to erect the statue outside The Foundry Shopping Centre in the town centre.

Artist Roy Londsale will design and build the sculpture after winning a competition and will receive funding from the council, Arts Council England and SSE Sustainable Development Fund.

Mr Lonsdale will make the sculpture from welded steel as part of the project.

The proposed sculpture shows a male and female steelworker dressed in clothing from the 1940s walking up the High Street away from the steelworks.

The proposed statue site outside The Foundry Shopping Centre, Scunthorpe.

Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Rob Waltham, said that the statue ties in with the authority’s regeneration plans for the town centre.

He said: “We have supported Scunthorpe Steeltown Team to commission the Steelworkers Sculpture, which has been created by artist Ray Lonsdale.

“It will celebrate Scunthorpe’s steelworkers of past and present, and recognise their contribution to the town.

“The sculpture aims to evoke memories of the culture and heritage of the steelworks, in particular when hundreds of bicycles could be seen emerging from the steelworks at shift changes throughout the day and night.

“Another important aspect of the sculpture is the importance of women steelworkers to the industry, in particular those who worked on the steelworks in the Second World War.

“Most families in this area have someone in their family or know someone connected to the steelworks. We hope it will get people talking about the history of the steelworks and reflect on its development over the years.”