Henry Moore arch set to be rebuilt in Kensington Gardens

A magnificent arch by sculptor Henry Moore that was a gift to the nation looks set to be re-erected nearly 20 years after it fell into disrepair and was dismantled

New analysis by the sculpture's
keeper, the Royal Parks, with university experts and the Tate, has suggested it might be restored for less money than once feared.
The Royal Parks is waiting for a final quote.

"That will determine how we proceed," a spokeswoman said. But the Art Newspaper claimed today that the latest estimate is in the region of £100,000, compared with £300,000 the last time the work was examined five years ago.

If that money can be raised, the important sculpture — probably now worth millions — could be back standing in Kensington Gardens by 2012. The 60-ton, 19ft high work was donated by the artist in 1980 and unveiled by then Conservative minister Michael Heseltine.

Hailed as "one of the greatest modern public sculptures in London" by Richard Calvocoressi, the director of the Henry Moore Foundation, The Arch quickly became a popular tourist attraction.
But cracks, possibly caused by subsidence, were discovered and the sculpture was removed with the intention of relocating it on firmer land — a plan that was never implemented.

Despite an initial campaign by the Evening Standard and later calls for action by nearby residents, the abandoned blocks languished in a store in Hyde Park.

The new study which used a 3D laser scanner and computer simulation to examine the stresses in the work suggested a new way forward.

Experts including researchers from the University of the Arts and Imperial College, London, agreed this month that steel rods could be inserted to bind the blocks together.

A previous offer of help was rejected when an Italian collector, Carlo Bilotti, offered to pay for a stronger replica to be carved in return for the original blocks, which he would have displayed in Florida or Italy.

But that notion was rejected by the Henry Moore Foundation which, as the copyright holder of the late artist's work and acting on his instructions, never allows copies.