Peterborough’s famous arch sculpture has been restored and will return to Thorpe Meadows this week.

The sculpture has been away for a two-year absence while restoration work took place.

The sculpture, by renowned artist Lee Grandjean, was removed from beside the Longthorpe Parkway in 2023 for safety reasons after extensive weather damage. It has been at specialist conservators, Hall Conservation, ever since, undergoing a lengthy process of drying out, conservation treatment and pain-staking repair work.

With restoration costs exceeding £50,000, the work has been largely funded through grant funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Henry Moore Foundation and Arts Council England, with additional significant donations from The Peterborough Civic Society, Compare the Market as well as from members of the public through the Nene Park Trust online fundraising appeal and at drop in art workshops, a drawing competition and other events across the city.

The Peterborough Arch during restoration.

placeholder image — The Peterborough Arch during restoration.

The arch, affectionately known as ‘Bob’, will return to its home at Thorpe Meadows, where it previously stood for over 35 years. While the sculpture is being reinstalled, the footpath that goes through woods and past the sculpture site will be closed.

This will remain closed for three days and should be open again on Thursday November 20.

Peterborough Arch was originally commissioned by the Peterborough Development Corporation in the 1980s as part of the city’s expansion. It was voted as Peterborough’s favourite sculpture in 2023 in an online poll.

Matthew Bradbury, CEO of Nene Park Trust, said: “We are so pleased to see this much-loved sculpture restored to its former glory and returned to its familiar home at Thorpe Meadows.

"We are grateful for the generous support of all our funders and donations from members of the public – we couldn’t have completed this restoration project without you.

"We’re looking forward to hosting Peterborough Arch at Thorpe Meadows for many years to come and seeing the Peterborough Sculpture Collection go from strength to strength.”

Artist Lee Grandjean said: “I am glad that it is enjoyed and seen as an ‘entrance landmark’ into the city. That was my intention from the beginning, a positive step across a threshold place and moment, going on to the centre, which I marked as the great cathedral.

"The structure of the sculpture reflects the gothic architecture of the cathedral and in the same spirit embodies a fundamental relationship at this threshold moment between human being and nature.”