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Video: Cross Gates sculpture is painted in Manchester United colours!
For Leeds United-loving residents of Cross Gates, it represents the ultimate kick in the teeth.
The area's infamous 'crossed gates' sculpture has been repainted – as threatened – in the red and white colours of Leeds's arch rivals Manchester United.
The sculpture – on a roundabout on the main gateway to the suburb – has already caused controversy after the YEP revealed it had cost a whopping 143,000.
But the Red Rose-styled paint job now looks like it might stir up an even bigger storm.
Critics of the proposed colour scheme warned that annoyed Leeds United
fans would vandalise the sculpture.
And on fan message boards on the internet, there is already a flurry of complaints – with some people even threatening to damage the gates.
Superfan and painter and decorator Gary Edwards, who famously refuses to paint anything red, had offered to paint the gates white for free.
Gary, 53, said: "I cannot believe they have painted them in Manchester United colours. They (local councillors] were warned that Leeds fans would not like it but they pressed ahead anyway. I think it's incredibly arrogant.
"I know lots of lads are talking about going and repainting them. I think the strength of feeling has been massively under-estimated.
"They should have been painted blue, white and gold, which are not just Leeds United's colours but those of the city of Leeds."
He said his offer to repaint the gates – in any colour but red – still stood.
Ray Fell, chairman of the Leeds United Supporters' Club, added: "It's a pity they're not in the Leeds colours of yellow, blue and white.
"That would be far better than the choice they've made, which seems like it's going to annoy a lot of people.
"Let's hope the council has a rethink."
It is not just the colour scheme of the Cross Gates sculpture which has caused controversy.
It was branded a waste of cash after the YEP revealed the cost of the gates had shot up from an estimated 70,000 to 143,000 – paid for from a Leeds City Council community regeneration fund.
The original plan was to have them in red, black and white. However, a council official is said to have stepped in and changed the design to blue, white and silver to stop them being vandalised by Leeds fans.
However, local councillors, who pressed for the sculpture, insisted they be returned to the original colour scheme.
The respraying work, along with other minor alterations, was carried out at the weekend – at a cost of 11,400.
After finding out how the project costs had rocketed, joint council leader Andrew Carter ordered an inquiry and put an immediate block on any more money being spent on it.
He branded the whole scheme "an utter farce" and lambasted local Labour councillors for spending so much money and then "shifting the blame".
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Weather for Leeds
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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