WELWYN GARDEN CITY'S controversial boat roundabout scheme is to be extended, with no fewer than 12 key road junctions to be decorated with more decaying hulks.

According to a council officer who contacted the Review this morning on condition of anonymity: “A deal is very close to completion whereby the council will acquire twelve wooden boat hulls which have been designated as end of life by their current owners, Woodlands Chandlery of Portishead.

“The decaying hulls have been in dry dock for a decade, but will now become an artistic centrepiece on twelve major roundabouts across Welwyn Garden City.

“Ten of the roundabouts have already been identified, and groundwork will shortly get underway. The motivation for the scheme came after the huge success of the pilot vessel on the roundabout at Stanborough. The popularity of this thought provoking installation shows that the town is ready to move on, and embrace a new nautical theme.

“This is a real chance to put some clear blue water between ourselves and the outdated garden city concept.”

He revealed that the council was to spend £240,000 on the project, using specialist French consultancy Geste Nauticale.