Too ugly to survive: Controversial Signal Hill structure in St. John's is now down

A controversial wooden fence was short-lived on Signal Hill in St. John's as government workers tore it down in the pouring rain on Thursday morning.

While the fence was hard to lookthrough, the issue was plain to see it was ugly, critics said, andblocked a beautiful view of Canada'smost easterlycity.

The three-metre-high fence was built on Tuesday morning, sparking outrage first from comedian Rick Mercer, and later from local MP Nick Whalen.

Mercer,who had said the fence was "stunning in its ugliness,"told CBC News he was delighted to hear Parks Canada had a change of heart.

"I don't know who [liked] the fence," Mercer said.

"People make mistakes. I built a cabin. You wouldn't believe the mistakes I made."

Just 48 hours after it went up, the fence was torn down by a small crew of Parks Canada workers, starting just before 6 a.m. NT.

Parks Canadasaid the fence would help deal with traffic safety issues on Signal Hill, a favourite walking site with city residents and a popular draw for tourists. The hill provides stunning views of St. John's, its harbour and the Atlantic Ocean.

A superintendent with the organization said drivers would sometimes slow down, or even come to a stop, to check out the view or catch a glimpse of the Signal Hill tattoo performing military reenactmentsin the nearby amphitheatre.

Ironically, drivers were stopping in the roundabout on Thursdaymorning to watch Parks Canada staff taking the fence down.

The construction happened quickly, without public consultation, and thereaction to it was swift and fierce, with widespreadpublic condemnation of the fence.

Whalen, MP for St. John's East, slammed the moveand took the issueto the office of federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, who isresponsible for Canada's national parks.

Hours later, McKenna's office said the fence would come down, citing "feedback" to Parks Canada.

She said the woodwill be reused forthe new, temporary barrier.

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