Another landmark to add to the tourists’ list of must-sees and an extra expense bringing more debt to London, the new ArcelorMittal Orbit tower will not go unnoticed standing the East London Olympic Park during the Olympic year or beyond. The previously unknown architect Anish Kapoor designed the tower to incorporate the Olympic rings and will be constructed from one flowing spiral of brushed red steel. There can be no doubt that it will be a memorable feature of the Games, but is it feasible or even necessary?

Surely, there is no need. Britain’s largest ever piece of public art could be the greatest design ever to come from our modern architect’s community and would still seem like the wrong choice for me. For almost anyone, the idea of any kind of raised tax would be an abhorrent proposition, but as this monument is only an indirect expense it is less obvious. Once the 2012 Olympics have passed, the tower will be left to the hopefully named Olympic Park Legacy Company to run as a tourist attraction. Undoubtedly, easily persuaded visitors to the Capital will flock toward the vista offered by this Olympic testament’s viewing platform.

Boris Johnson, a man who seems to drag controversy around in a jolly shadow behind him, has endorsed the plans. The architect has received a huge boost in notoriety since the announcement of the build, and has said of the project: “...some will say we are nuts”. Not nuts; in my opinion it is irrational and careless. For the Stratford site in the southern area of the Olympic site, the Olympic Minister Tessa Jowell “felt certain that this is the right thing.” I am not sure whether they are taking into account the views of the London people ahead of the watching eyes of the foreign nations attending in 2012.

I personally cannot believe that this is the most remarkable or the most financially viable option for an Olympic monument. Especially, I think, when you consider the massive cost of the main Olympic venues. Getting caught up in the artistic message is fine for a certain time and place (and with sufficient funds), but this project has planned for circumstances that are beyond our means.