Concerns Raised Regarding Condition and Future of Town’s Landmark Sculpture

The state of a significant local landmark, described as “shameful,” has prompted inquiries into its long-term prospects. Darlington Borough Council has received calls to assist in the restoration of the Brick Train, situated on the A66 within Morton Park. Dorothy Long, a former councillor and honorary freewoman of Darlington, observed that the areas surrounding the sculpture were strewn with litter and overgrown vegetation. Councillor Libby McCollom, who holds the cabinet portfolio for local services, stated that the property owners intend to “assess and make good the sculpture.” The Brick Train, completed in 1997, was conceived by artist David Mach. It serves as a memorial to the 1825 Stockton and Darlington Railway. The initiative received substantial funding from the National Lottery as part of Visual Arts Year 1976, with Darlington Borough Council also contributing partial funding and facilitation. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a Darlington Council meeting heard that the supermarket chain Morrisons was responsible for the site’s upkeep until the land was divested in 2022. Mrs. Long appealed to the council for assistance with the clean-up, particularly in anticipation of the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway’s opening in September 2025. She stated, “The approaches to the sculpture are littered and overgrown and the condition of the structure itself is shameful.” She further described it as being covered in weeds, moss, and graffiti, yet affirmed its status as an “asset” to the borough. She emphasized, “It is crucial therefore that partnerships be fostered with new owners, with businesses, with the voluntary sector, and people in the community who value it, as I do, so that it is never again neglected as it is today.” Councillor McCollom, a Labour representative, verified that the sculpture is situated on privately held property, and its upkeep falls under the purview of the landowner. She remarked, “Maintenance does appear to have declined since the change in ownership.” She added, “However, contact has been made with the new owner, and, in the immediate term, they have undertaken to assess and make good the sculpture.” She also mentioned that discussions were underway with the landowner regarding potential partnerships and volunteering initiatives “to ensure the ongoing care of the sculpture.”