PLANS to move the Swindon statue of engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel has sparked questions as to where it might go.

The eight-foot monument to the great man was unveiled to the town in 1971 and currently stands in Havelock Square, alongside the Brunel Centre, which was inaugurated at the same time.

But with massive changes afoot in the town centre, it has been decided to unearth the statue and find a new home for it. However its new location is yet to be decided. Former railway driver Gordon Shurmer, 85, of Churchward Avenue, thinks a move would be good.

He said: "It's in a very odd place in Havelock Square. It's all very dark and a long way from anything to do with the railway.

"The other thing you notice is that he has his back to the railway works which is very odd, you would think he would be facing it.

"I'd like to see it put in a place that is more open so that more people can see it, perhaps on a pedestal over near the entrance to the works."

Fellow railway driver Tom Conduit, 80, from Eldene, said: "He is the figurehead of the works but his statue is nowhere near it.

"I think they should move it somewhere else, perhaps to the Steam Museum or keep it in the town centre and undercover but somewhere it can still be seen by those visiting."

Conservative group leader Coun Roderick Bluh, lead member for regeneration, said: "The decision is still very much up in the air but the main aim will be to keep the statue in the town centre. However we are keen to hear other ideas from the people of Swindon to see where they would like to see it go."

The statue move would be part of the re-development of Granville Street car park.

Havelock Square as it presently is would disappear and become incorporated into what the council hopes will become a sweeping vista up to Commercial Road and Regent Street.

The statue itself is a copy of the Brunel statue, which stands on the Thames Embankment in London.

In recent years, the monument has played soothing classical music in a bid to deter vandals from hanging around the square.

  • Where would you like to see the statue moved to? Let us know by contacting the Adver newsdesk by phone on 01793 501806, email at newsdesk@newswilts.co.uk or post to 100, Victoria Road, Swindon, SN1 3BE