A new memorial to the victims of the July 7th bombings in London will be created in Hyde Park after Westminster City Council gave the sculpture's plans the go ahead.

Set to be located on the east side of the park between Lovers Walk and Park Lane its design by architects Carmody Groarke has also received artistic advice from the renowned sculptor Antony Gormley, and comprises of 52 pillars each representing one of the victims.

The pillars will be grouped together in four inter-linking clusters reflecting the four bomb attacks at Aldgate, Edgware Road, Kings Cross and Tavistock Square on 7 July 2005.

Each of the columns will have its own inscription about the specific location of the bomb and as each column is cast in stainless steel the casting process will ensure that no two columns are exactly the same.

Cllr Michael Brahams, chairman of the planning applications sub committee which gave the plans the go-ahead, said: "This memorial is a fitting tribute in keeping with its setting to those who lost their lives, and the loss suffered by their loved ones.

"This is a bold and emotive sculpture which will ensure July 7 is never forgotten, and the cruel and needless loss of life, as demonstrated by each of the columns, is etched in the consciousness of future generations."

The memorial has been created by a team who worked in close consultation with representatives from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the bereaved families and advisors from The Royal Parks.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For more details about the memorial's design please contact the Department for Culture Media and Sport on 0207 211 6052/6277.

The bombings in London on 7 July killed 52 people and seriously injured around 50 others. Approximately 800 others suffered minor injuries in the four explosions - three on the London Underground at Edgware Road, Aldgate and Kings Cross/Russell Square, and one on a No. 30 bus at Tavistock Square.

Visualisations of the memorial in situ can be viewed on the DCMS website. See link: http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/humanitarian_assistance/5350.aspx

The design team chosen to create the memorial is made up of Ove Arup and Partners Ltd (lead consultant and engineering services), Carmody Groarke (architect) and Colvin and Moggridge Ltd (landscape architect). They were appointed on 9 November 2007. Artist Antony Gormley was commissioned by the Design Team and Project Board as an independent artistic advisor to the project, to advise on the design as an independently appointed expert in public artworks.

Six representatives of the bereaved families group sit on the 7 July Permanent Memorial Project Board. They were elected to represent the 52 bereaved families and to work with the design team in creating the design for the permanent memorial.

Image courtesy of Carmody Groarke.

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