Letter: Goodbye to Hadley Centre's Chassis Plant

Much has been written about the demise of the Chassis Plant in Hadley Centre. It would seem that a very small minority is now criticising Telford & Wrekin Council’s decision not to retain it. As with most things, it’s those who shout the loudest who are heard.

Much has been written about the demise of the Chassis Plant in Hadley Centre.

It would seem that a very small minority is now criticising Telford & Wrekin Council’s decision not to retain it. As with most things, it’s those who shout the loudest who are heard.

Perhaps I could answer for the silent majority, many of whom were glad to see its removal.

In the late 1990s the then Hadley Parish Council did discuss its removal because of complaints it was an eye-sore. A straw poll by Hadley Residents Association found eight out of 10 wanted it removed.

The ruling Labour Group at the time invited the opinion of only shopkeepers who did not live in Hadley. They wished it to be kept, so it was.

Over the next 10 years the sculpture became increasingly dangerous as children climbed the taller chassis with the potential of serious injury from falling on to the shorter chassis beneath.

Local people had several opportunities to express their opinion during the consultation but obviously none of those complaining now took the trouble to voice their opinions, which would certainly have been considered.

The sculpture was a piece of modern art most residents of Hadley neither asked for nor wanted.

Councillor John Smart

Hadley

Comments for: "Letter: Goodbye to Hadley Centre's Chassis Plant"

Rob, Telford

It's good to see people like John Smart speaking up for the silent majority - presumably they pass their opinions to him via the medium of telepathy?

"Over the next 10 years the sculpture became increasingly dangerous as children climbed the taller chassis with the potential of serious injury from falling on to the shorter chassis beneath"

What changed over the ten years? - perhaps the children of Hadley became better climbers as they honed their skills on the Chassis Plant, in which case it should be retained as resource for the Chris Bonningtons of the future.

Michael Wilkinson

The sculpture was donated by GKN.It served as a reminder not only of the wealth and employment GKN had brought to the area,but it also showed GKNs thanks to the many skilled people of the surrounding area who worked for them

GKN Hadley employed some 12000 in Telford at one time.

I was commissioned to photograph it after it was erected and many people stopped to say how good it was to have something modern and new in the centre.

Time stands still for no one and tastes change,many many people will not remember ether its coming or its meaning, that's a shame.