A controversial Gold Coast light installation, erected on the M1 in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games, should be removed, a council committee has recommended.

Key points: The $2.1 million artwork on the M1 at Yatala is made from 97 light poles

The $2.1 million artwork on the M1 at Yatala is made from 97 light poles The artwork spells "Gold Coast" when lit up, but motorists criticised the installation as letters cannot be read when driving by

The artwork spells "Gold Coast" when lit up, but motorists criticised the installation as letters cannot be read when driving by Acting Mayor Donna Gates said every time she drove past it was a reminder of what a poor decision it was

The Northern Gold Coast Entry Statement at Yatala, which cost $2.1 million to install, is set to be removed and placed in storage.

The entry "art piece" is made from 97 light poles and was installed before last April's Commonwealth Games.

The artwork, which spells "Gold Coast" when lit up, attracted criticism because motorists could not read the letters as they drove along the Pacific Highway.

On Tuesday, the council's Transport and Infrastructure committee recommended the lights be removed and stored at a cost estimated to be $255,000.

The committee also recommended ways be looked at to repurpose the lights across the city.

Chairwoman Pauline Young said the committee's recommendation did not amount to a waste of public funds.

"We are all out there to make sure we very carefully look after ratepayers' money, but this is a concern for every [rate] payer that passes it," Ms Young said.

"I believe as councillors, if we vote on this then we should follow through on the removal of them."

However, Cr Dawn Crichlow said she wanted the lights left at the location, as it was not costing any more money to leave the installation in place.

Hope artist will buy piece back

Acting Mayor Donna Gates, who represents the Yatala area, welcomed the decision to recommend the sign's removal.

Cr Gates said every time she drove by the installation she was reminded what a poor decision it was.

"I have never had a comment from anyone that they love this artwork," Cr Gates said.

"There is no doubt it is unreadable where it is — I don't think any of us anticipated it would be as difficult to read as it is."

If the full council agreed, the installation would be stored at a council depot until an alternative location could be found, or the light poles could be repurposed as street lighting throughout the city.

"To be able to store them and then be able to provide a wider community benefit, some cost savings in reuse, that's a good outcome," Cr Gates said.

Cr Gates said another less likely option was for the overseas artist, who owns the intellectual property rights, to buy the piece back.

"We hope the artist will buy them back — that would be a perfect outcome and we will happily ship it to him," Cr Gates said.

Council will vote on the recommendation next week.