Is Folkestone’s memorial arch rusting already?

Less than six months after it was opened by Prince Harry, marks have started appearing on the steel on the upper sections of the Step Short structure.

It was unveiled by the royal on August 4 last year to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and the hundreds of thousands who lost their lives.

The arch is made of a type of stainless steel that should not rust. It was said it would last for 100 years.

But the discolourations, which have been noticed in recent weeks, are thought to be coming from the bolts used to connect and hold the sections in place.

Step Short, the charity behind building the arch and several educational projects in Shepway, said it was investigating the cause and had raised the issue with the manufacturers of the memorial, which stands on The Leas at the top of the Road of Remembrance.

Meanwhile the charity’s chairman, Folkestone and Hythe MP, Damian Collins said: “The arch is not rusting. We are looking into this with our project management company Lend Lease.

“The arch itself is built of a specially treated steel which won’t rust.”

A spokesman for Step Short added: “We have noticed a slight discolouration of some of the steelwork around the area of the fixing screws and have made contact with the company responsible.

“We believe the discolouration is coming from the screws rather than the steel itself but clearly we need to take advice before we can be sure.

“We intend to make sure this is put right, at no cost to the charity, as soon as possible.

“The arch has already become an important and much-loved landmark in Folkestone and we are determined that it will look its best for many years to come and that any teething troubles are swiftly resolved.”

Electrical supply issues for the LED lights in the top of the arch almost hindered the opening of the arch in the summer.

The project has not been without its critics with some claiming that the arch cost too much in the first place given that £300,000 of the project has been funded jointly by Kent County Council and Shepway District Council.

Dissenting voices have faded in recent times though with the arch becoming a popular landmark for people to visit to commemorate the war and reflect on the town’s involvement.