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Newport Chartist mural: Workmen start demolition work Newport Chartist mural: Man arrested during demolition work
(36 minutes later)
A historic artwork in the centre of Newport is being demolished days after attempts to have it preserved for its architectural significance failed. One man has been arrested during protests against the demolition of an historic artwork in the centre of Newport.
Around 20 protesters shouted at workers who have been knocking down the mural of the 1839 Chartist uprising. Attempts failed to preserve the mosaic of the 1839 Chartist uprising, which is making way for a shopping development.
Around 20 protesters shouted at demolition workers before barriers were pulled down and some people rushed through.
A man, believed to be in his early 20s, was detained by police.
The 35m (115ft) mural, a mosaic of 200,000 pieces of tile and glass, was created in a walkway off John Frost Square by artist Kenneth Budd in 1978.The 35m (115ft) mural, a mosaic of 200,000 pieces of tile and glass, was created in a walkway off John Frost Square by artist Kenneth Budd in 1978.
It is being pulled down to make way for a £100m shopping development.It is being pulled down to make way for a £100m shopping development.
Newport council said it "had to consider the wider picture" when deciding what to do with the work. A statement from the local authority is expected later. Newport Council said it "had to consider the wider picture" when deciding what to do with the work. A statement from the local authority is expected later.
The council said it could commission another memorial to the Chartists and is due to consult on that.The council said it could commission another memorial to the Chartists and is due to consult on that.
More than 2,500 signed a petition urging the mural to be saved.More than 2,500 signed a petition urging the mural to be saved.
There were shouts of "despicable" and "vandals" from protesters at the scene.There were shouts of "despicable" and "vandals" from protesters at the scene.
The area around the mural has been fenced off.The area around the mural has been fenced off.
The demolition comes after Wales' heritage body Cadw said the artwork did not meet its "special architectural interest" criteria for listing.The demolition comes after Wales' heritage body Cadw said the artwork did not meet its "special architectural interest" criteria for listing.
'Real risks'
The artwork faced demolition in 2009 under a previous development proposal that was later scrapped.The artwork faced demolition in 2009 under a previous development proposal that was later scrapped.
But current plans for the Friars Walk shopping centre remain on track prompting The Twentieth Century Society, a charity that champions buildings and public art, to call for its preservation.But current plans for the Friars Walk shopping centre remain on track prompting The Twentieth Century Society, a charity that champions buildings and public art, to call for its preservation.
Henrietta Billings, senior conservation adviser for the society, said: "The Twentieth Century Society is shocked and deeply saddened to see the destruction of the Chartist mural - started by Newport Council today.Henrietta Billings, senior conservation adviser for the society, said: "The Twentieth Century Society is shocked and deeply saddened to see the destruction of the Chartist mural - started by Newport Council today.
"The speed with which the demolition has begun ahead of the public demonstration planned in support of the mural this weekend is startling."The speed with which the demolition has begun ahead of the public demonstration planned in support of the mural this weekend is startling.
'Real risks'
"Future generations will look back on this day with great regret. It is without doubt one of Wales' best pieces of post war public art.""Future generations will look back on this day with great regret. It is without doubt one of Wales' best pieces of post war public art."
The council called in consultants who advised that moving the art work would cost at least £600,000.The council called in consultants who advised that moving the art work would cost at least £600,000.
The report also said there were "real risks that the mural would not survive such a move".The report also said there were "real risks that the mural would not survive such a move".
But this is disputed by campaigners who called for the work to be preserved.But this is disputed by campaigners who called for the work to be preserved.
Retired history teacher Susan Agland said: "The council only had one quote on how much the work would cost.Retired history teacher Susan Agland said: "The council only had one quote on how much the work would cost.
"As the work would have needed public money, they should have had more than one quote for it.""As the work would have needed public money, they should have had more than one quote for it."