A statue of England captain Harry Kane has been languishing in storage for years, as local councillors struggle to find a suitable location for its installation.
Waltham Forest Council, located in north east London, allocated £7,200 in 2019 and 2020 to commission the sculpture of the Chingford-raised foot baller.
Chingford resident Trevor Calver, who uncovered the statue’s existence, expressed frustration at the situation, labeling it a “joke” that the artwork remains in storage.
Conservative councillors Emma Best and Roy Berg, representing Chingford’s Endlebury ward, initially proposed installing the statue on a platform at Chingford Overground station. However, Transport for London rejected this plan following a risk assessment.
Subsequently, the councillors abandoned a previous proposal to place the statue in Ridgeway Park, though the reasons for this decision remain unclear.
Despite efforts by Ms. Best to find a suitable location for the statue, no progress has been made. Mr. Berg admitted that there were no available pictures of the statue when questioned.
A spokes person for Harry Kane expressed excitement about the statue and emphasized its significance, especially considering Kane’s status as England and Tottenham Hotspur’s all time leading goal scorer. However, challenges in determining the statue’s location have delayed its unveiling.
Waltham Forest Council responded to inquiries about the statue’s where abouts and storage costs, stating that residents suggest community ward funding projects, which councillors then implement. The council emphasized that there are guidelines regarding eligible projects for funding.
The fate of the Harry Kane statue remains uncertain, with stake holders continuing to search for a suitable location to honor the football star’s achievements.
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