A 56ft-long dragon sculpture, installed as a gateway feature to Wales, has become invisible after being overgrown by grass and shrubs. The artwork, located on the A494 near the Wales-England border, was intended as a permanent welcome for drivers entering Wales.
The sculpture, which cost £20,000, was created in 2009 using 400 meters of steel edging filled with 10 tonnes of white marble pebbles. It was inspired by historic white horse carvings found in the Wiltshire hills. However, unlike the Wiltshire figures, the dragon has not been maintained and has been overtaken by vegetation.
This lack of upkeep has led to disappointment from the public. Social media users have expressed sadness over the sculpture's condition, with some suggesting community efforts to restore it.
The dragon has faced issues since its installation. Previously, drivers noted that it was oriented incorrectly, facing towards England rather than Wales. The choice of a white dragon, instead of the traditional red, also sparked controversy.
Meanwhile, a white lion sculpture on the opposite side of the road has also been obscured by dense grass and shrubbery. Responsibility for the maintenance of these emblems, situated near the border, falls to Highways England.
Following public concern over their appearance in late 2013, National Highways had promised to address the issue. However, a subsequent review of the £61 million gateway scheme, which included these artworks, acknowledged that the £20,000 sculptures had not received recent maintenance to ensure their visibility and definition.
A spokesperson for National Highways has since stated that the white dragon will be restored. The agency recognizes the importance of these local landmarks and plans to carry out weeding and vegetation clearance as part of its seasonal maintenance program.