The much-maligned Marble Arch Mound is finally being dismantled after a petition to save the £6million attraction failed.
Works have already begun to take apart the 25m high man-made hill, which sits at the corner of Hyde Park and Park Lane.
The attraction described jokingly as London’s “Hanging Gardens of Babylon” was commissioned by Westminster City Council with a budget of £3.3 million but by completion it had cost almost double that at £6 million.
Refunds were offered the day after it opened to the public on July 26 following what the authority called “teething problems”, with visitors complaining it was still a building site
A Westminster Council spokesman confirmed that the works to dismantle the mound had already started.
He said: “The Mound has done what it was built to do - drawn crowds and supported the recovery in the West End.
“Central London’s economy has suffered more than any other area during the pandemic. With footfall slashed and near total loss of overseas tourists many businesses have faced oblivion.
“We’re really pleased that over 250,000 visitors have come to Westminster to see The Mound and the terrific light exhibition inside.
“Those visitors have gone on to spend money in shops, bars and restaurants across the West End – helping local businesses to get back on their feet.”
