Big eyesore pile of rubbish is finally removed from beauty spot in Marble Arch – sadly it cost £6million to put there

By Jacob Phillips, Local Democracy Reporter

Londoners have been taking one last pop at the Marble Arch Mound as it’s finally torn down.

Tourists and workers could not resist stopping by to laugh at the 25-metre tall hill, labelling it a ‘staircase’ and ‘Disney World thing.’

The Mound has faced global ridicule after plants began to die on the first day it was unveiled at the end of July.

Since then, it has been revealed the mound cost £6million – three times it’s budget.

Londoners were still poking fun at the attraction as contractors started to dismantle it. The work should take four months.

Sarah Queiroz first heard about the mound while searching through TikTok in Brazil.

The tourist said: “£6million to destroy it. Wow. There are a lot of people making videos. They say this is the worst place in London.

“I didn’t realise it’s a real thing. It’s weird.

“I would prefer to see a museum or something about the history of Marble Arch. That would make sense. It’s crazy.”

Builder Simon Seblauskas has also been working on a building next to the mound. 

He said: “It’s just a waste of money. We are working up there on level six and we are getting a better view than that.

“They could get some sort of stage for musicians instead.

“You cannot see anything as the buildings are blocking the view.”

Builder Paul Butler added: “It’s a waste of money. It’s a waste of space.

“I cannot believe they got away with it. It’s just a staircase.

“I cannot believe the council actually paid for it. We have had a pandemic for two years. People have been put on furlough.”

Geoff and Marilyn, who did not want to give their surnames, decided to swing by the mound after a visit to the West End.

Geoff said: “It’s just a farce. You get a better view from a retail building.

“It’s just sad. London has so much to offer as a city. This Disney World thing is irrelevant.”

Marilyn said: “It was a waste of money.” 

Although the public has ridiculed the mound, Westminster City Council  defended it, saying it brought 260,000 people back to Oxford Street.

In a statement before the mound’s destruction began, a Westminster City Council spokesman said: “Westminster City Council is a high-profile local authority with unique responsibilities at the heart of the capital.

“As such, we need to recruit the best talent for managing within a complex organisation whose work involves a partnership with central Government, the multi-billion economy of the West End and 260,000 residents.

“The Mound has done what it was built to do – drawn crowds and supported the recovery in this part of London. We’re really pleased that over 242,000 people have visited to see the Mound and the terrific light exhibition inside.”