Southampton's Supermarine Spitfire tribute campaign enters crucial stage (From Daily Echo)

Southampton's Supermarine Spitfire tribute campaign enters crucial stage

10:07am Wednesday 20th May 2009 in

By Peter Law » Feature Writer

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STUDIES into the final design, scale and cost of Southampton’s tribute to the Spitfire have been launched.

Two feasibility studies costing a combined £38,000 will be conducted over the next six weeks by consultants who will report back to the Spitfire Tribute Foundation.

It is a major step forward for the Daily Echo’s long running campaign to finally honour the men and women who built and flew the legendary Second World War fighter plane.

As revealed by the Echo late last year, the enormous stainless steel structure will rise up at the end of Town Quay after being given the green light by Associated British Ports.

Towering 180ft into the skyline, it has received backing from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and has been described as Southampton’s equivalent to the Statue of Liberty.

Bristol-based quantity surveyors Cyril Sweet Ltd and structural engineers SKM Anthony Hunts, based in Cirencester, were this appointed to conduct the feasibility work.

The reports are being paid for out of the £70,000 of taxpayer’s money allocated by Southampton City Council towards the landmark project.

The city’s leisure boss Councillor John Hannides, who is also chairman of the foundation, said: “This phase of work is important because it means we will have a precise knowledge of the costings, viability and of the structure itself in terms of engineering.”

“This phase of work is important because it means we will have a precise knowledge of the costings, viability and of the structure itself in terms of engineering.”

Why is one feasibility needed let alone two, private business' do not carry out feasibility studies in respect of new projects, companies are invited to tender which would include design etc... its a nonsense and a waisty of tax payers money just like other feasibility studies the council undertake, makes you wonder who they 'hire' to carry out said feasibility studies and why are they so expensive, 250k to find a new depot for Town works, fill my car up and i'll drive around the city identify areas, sit in front of my computer check the viability using public information then put forward a proposal, 250k, 38k my arse