Thousands of visitors flocked to climb the Marble Arch Mound in London on its final day open (Sunday, January 9).

The controversial attraction opened in July last year, charging visitors up to £8 to climb the artificial hill. After backlash, the ticket price was dropped and visitors could climb it for free.

The Mound was forecast to cost £2 million, but ended up costing Westminster City Council £6 million. Deputy council leader Melvyn Caplan, who led the project, resigned in August.

Despite widespread criticism of the attraction in the press and on social media, the Council defended the project, saying it "has done what it was built to do - drawn crowds and supported the recovery in the West End". Their spokesperson also claimed "over 242,000 people" in total have come to see the Mound.

The Mound's deconstruction is estimated to take up to four months.