A towering sculpture commemorating World War II military history is currently under construction alongside one of England's busiest highways. The 'Bolt of Lightning' memorial, standing at 22.5 meters (74 feet) tall, will surpass the famous Angel of the North by 2.5 meters, making it one of the tallest sculptures in the United Kingdom when completed.
The impressive structure is being built at the center of the Mountpark roundabout at Omega South business park on Skyline Drive in Burtonwood, Warrington, directly adjacent to junction eight of the M62 motorway. The sculpture serves as a tribute to the area's significant military heritage, specifically honoring the former RAF Burtonwood airbase that played a crucial role during World War II under United States operations.
Designed by renowned sculptor Peter Naylor, who has an extensive background in creating public war memorials throughout the UK, the sculpture depicts a US Lockheed P-38F Lightning fighter aircraft positioned atop two curved beams. According to planning documents, the artwork represents the aircraft "rising to the sky after a dive, leaving trails behind it." The curved beams, referred to as "swooshes," symbolize the engine trails left by the Lightning aircraft and are supported by four independent columns mounted on a large plinth that forms the sculpture's base.
The memorial will feature an elaborate nighttime illumination system designed to enhance its visual impact after dark. Planning documents reveal that the lighting scheme incorporates narrow beam spotlights positioned at the top of the swooshes and on the aircraft's tail. These lights create a gradient effect that washes over the curved surfaces, while the base remains in darkness to create the illusion of the plane floating above it. The lighting design aims to "add drama and dynamism to the sculpture at night by animating its physical shape and adding a lifelike quality."
Warrington Borough Council granted planning approval for the project in April 2024, and construction work is currently underway. While no specific completion date has been announced, road closures are scheduled for multiple dates in September to accommodate the construction process, indicating significant progress toward completion.
The sculpture pays homage to RAF Burtonwood's remarkable wartime history. The airbase opened in 1940 during World War II and initially operated under the Royal Air Force until 1942, when control was transferred to the United States Army Air Forces. During the war, Burtonwood became the largest European airfield for American forces, serving the US Eighth, Ninth, Twelfth, and Fifteenth Air Forces. By the war's end, nearly 20,000 American servicemen were stationed at the facility.
Following the war, the base was returned to RAF control in 1946 but continued to serve as an important strategic location for American forces throughout the Cold War period. The site remained operational until 1991, when it was finally closed and subsequently demolished. Today, the former airbase grounds house Gulliver's World theme park and the Omega business parks, which span both sides of the M62 motorway. The RAF Burtonwood heritage center now operates within the theme park, preserving the site's military history for future generations.
