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Rhymney’s Twisted Chimney sculpture is to be repaired at a cost of £120,000 to the public purse, with funds from the UK Government.

Originally installed in 2010 and costing £180,000, the public artwork has been ‘de-rigged’ and will be reinstalled by the end of March next year.

The project will be funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, with work carried-out by Cardiff-based company ‘See What We Can Make’.

King Lifting, which is based in Hengoed, has been be sub-contracted to do the lifting works.

While the Twisted Chimney gives the appearance of being made of redbrick, the artwork sparked public surprise when part of its façade fell away last year due to bad weather revealing its inner metal structure.

According to a council survey earlier this year, 55% of respondents wanted the chimney – the most expensive piece of public art built in the borough since 2008 – to be repaired.

Carl Cuss, Labour councillor for Twyn Carno, agreed the chimney had caused “quite a debate”, and warned over past failings concerning the design.

He said: “There was a split view, but I think the opportunity of receiving external funding with no cost to the council to repair the sculpture persuaded the residents to support its retention.

“I don’t think there would be much public support if the council was left to fund this due to the tough public spending environment we are in at present.

“I would urge the contractors to ensure lessons are learnt by the previous design and to ensure it’s weather protected.”

During the work, the site in Rhymney will be fenced off for safety reasons.