A STEEL "tree" is set to take root in the centre of Philips Road, Blackburn.

The 20ft sculpture will be positioned in the centre of a new roundabout planned by Blackburn Council at the junction of Philips Road and Blakewater Road.

The roundabout will be landscaped with rocks and gravel and low plants and the highway verges on the approaches will be landscaped and planted with real semi-mature trees.

Blackburn Council planning and highways committee voted through permission for the plan, despite protests from some councillors.

Coun Frank Higham described the idea as "adult vandalism", while Coun James Hirst asked whether the sheet metal "leaves" could cause even more injuries if there was an accident at the roundabout.

Coun Maureen Bateson was concerned the sculpture may distract drivers and cause more accidents.

Councillors were told the roundabout would slow down traffic to lessen the possibility of accidents.

City Challenge will pay for the tree from its public arts fund, but Coun Hirst claimed: "It is still taxpayers' money and it is being wasted."

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