Milton Keynes Conservatives question renovation project at Station Square outside MK Central station

Milton Keynes Conservatives have questioned a renovation project of Station Square outside Milton Keynes Central railway station.

The project saw Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) and Milton Keynes City Council unveil a large scale public artwork piece called “Walk With Your Dreams” designed by globally acclaimed British-Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori MBE, which was unveiled last October.

The criticism of the project came after a Freedom of Information request whose information was disclosed in a statement by the MK Conservatives group confirmed the Station Square works cost approximately £2.19 million, including around £110,000 in design and consultancy fees, £1.86 million in construction and landscaping, and approximately £225,000 for the artwork and artist fees.

The group also said that local residents have raised concerns about peeling surfaces, potential slip hazards and unresolved infrastructure problems nearby to Station Square.

Councillor Shazna Muzammil, Leader of the Conservative Group on Milton Keynes City Council criticised the way the project has been handled, criticising both the cost and the implementation of the piece.

In a statement, Cllr Muzammil said, “Residents were told not to worry because this wasn’t taxpayers’ money in a video recently shared by the MK Labour Party. But MKDP is owned by the council. It manages public land and public assets for Milton Keynes. And this is a lot of money. And when money is spent through MKDP, it is still Milton Keynes money — and residents absolutely have the right to ask questions about how it’s being used.

“After all this money is spent, in less than a few months, you have paint already peeling and going into our drains, surfaces that become a slip hazard when it rains, and potholes which are still there as large as life.

“Nobody is against public art or improving our city centre. We all want Milton Keynes to look good and feel welcoming. This is a busy transport hub used every day by hundreds of people walking, cycling and using scooters.

“Painting an outdoor floor area like that without clear long-term maintenance planning was always going to raise questions.”

Neither Milton Keynes City Council, the Milton Keynes Development Partnership or the Milton Keynes Labour Party, who are the largest party on the City Council, have publicly commented in response to the criticisms.