The president of the British Sundial Society and maker of a timepiece which stood in Medway for almost 25 years has hit out at the council for removing the well known-landmark.

The huge blue sundial stood in Railway Street, Chatham for 23 years but, as previously reported in the Medway Messenger, has been removed from its position in Railway Street as part of the council’s plans to de-clutter the town centre.

The sundial was installed to commemorate the death of Admiral Lord Nelson. It was unveiled by the then Mayor of Rochester upon Medway, Cllr Ann Marsh, on October 21, 1994 and was designed by Christopher Daniel, who is also the president of the British Sundial Society.

Mr Daniel, who lives in Welling, was horrified to hear about its removal via an American member of his group who read the article about it on our website, KentOnline.

He has written to the council to complain and point out it will not work in other locations.

Mr Daniel said: “The instrument was specifically designed for that location and, as such, is remarkably accurate. It even ‘tracks’ the date of the Battle of Trafalgar. The dial is now well known around the world.

“The sundial will not indicate the correct time as it does now, if it is just placed on another wall or on a similar rather nasty frame on which it is or was fixed.”

A spokesman for Medway Council said: “While we understand the designer’s disappointment, we are looking at alternative locations for people to view it as a piece of artwork.”

But Mr Daniel is unhappy about the plan. He added: “For the last 23 years this has been a working piece of public artwork, as well as being a scientific instrument and a unique memorial to Admiral Lord Nelson. Now it seems that it will be displayed as just a piece of artwork.”

Medway Council said the sundial is intact and in storage while its new location is decided.