“Yes its expensive but its the start of a long needed regeneration of the area. Well done to the council making this bold statement. I agree the job could have been done for less £££ but the council are used to wasting money and will no doubt continue to do so. Lets not start there though!
The Princesshay development is an indication of the modern direction which the city is taking and I applaud that. The same designer was responsible for the Plymouth Drakes Circus building but the council thankfully supported the modern approach for Exeter. The Heavitree arch is a conituation along this modern approach and although not everyones cup of tea it will promote Exeter as a developing city bringing wealth and prosperity with it.”

“Ruthu, I think the reason behind the dislike of so many people for the arch is the less than democratic way it was all pushed through by the council. That combined with the "arty" description put out by the artist and the council.
If you think about what has been said about the various parts of the arch in particular the glass screen with it's supposed elemental/pagan feel from the script engraved on it, you wonder why, if this is so significant, you cannot read the writing on it. It is not rocket science to understand that if you engrave a piece of glass with white lettering and then hang it up with an open space behind it you will not be able to read what is on it, as in this case. The addition of "Archie" on the wall does in fact make it possible to read more of the inscription without having to walk up and down.
Personally I dislike the whole concept of the arch as I feel it is in the wrong place, likewise the obelisk in the High Street. I am also convinced the council have been sold a 'Pig in a Poke' as what has been delivered does not match what would appear to have been promised, ie the glass panel.
No doubt Messrs Hoyte, Fairfax and Osborne and the constructors of the arch are more than happy with the "Asda" price they got for their work.
I can't make my mind up about the oak tree though. Is the tree upright and the tree guard at an angle or vice versa? I suspect the tree is upright as I would expect a Contractor entrusted with the works to be capable of planting a tree competently. The guard has probably been designed to stand on level ground and has been fitted on the slope, another design fault perhaps.
I assume it has been decided that the tree has a limited lifetime and that it will be removed before it reaches maturity. If not it will outgrow the guard and probably push up the paving stones. Another aspect not really thought about perhaps! Perhaps it's roots are contained within a concrete bowl and it is doomed to become a 'stunted oak'!!
To all those with a pathalogical hatred of the arch do not despair. Given it a couple of years of neglect by the council it will soon deteriorate and become an eysore and unsafe and be consigned to the scrap heap.
Also, remember there is a way to get your own back if you are not satisfied with the actions of your councillors, don't vote for them at the next election, I wont be.”

“Driving through Heavitree for the first time in many weeks last night I saw the arch illuminated. It is beautiful and a great enhancement to the city. Lets hope the council are not put off by all of the negative comments and instead commission more works for other sites in the city.”

“The suggestion that this sculpture represents an undemocratic act is deeply misguided. The democratic process demands that we elect our representatives for local authority, and they then are appointed to make decisions democratically. You may not have chosen to elect that person, but the majority of people have. You may also not agree with all decisions they make, and the correct process would be that if our representatives are acting against the desire of the masses, they will not get re-elected... That's how democracy works.

It does not mean that everyone who disagrees with them are being ignored, but the whole process would grind to a halt if every individual was consulted on every decision...

I obviously am not privy to a full statistical breakdown of how many people in Exeter support this arch compared to those that don't, as this information does not exist. But no decision will please all of people all of the time, so perhaps those opposed to this will graciously concede that this is one that went against them, and so be it.

Perhaps the paintings could stop now... It doesn't look like a humorous piece of satire as you drive in, it looks like graffiti that the city doesn't care to clean up.”

“Ho! Ho! Ho!

Just like the conical sculpture in High Street, this arch is in totally the wrong place. Another foul up, to follow the eyesore at Sowton park and ride roundabout.”