Forum Topic

Graffiti on Iron Bridge, Acton ------- gone !!!

'Council steps in to stop Acton railway vandals (PR 149)Work is underway to make a railway bridge in Acton vandal-proof after residents called for action at the trouble spot.Acton Vale Bridge, which is owned by Network Rail, was repeatedly vandalised and sprayed with graffiti, blighting the entrance to the town.  Now Ealing Council has stepped in to clean-up the bridge and introduce measures to deter vandals.The operation will include jet washing the bridge, covering it with new anti-climb paint and installing security spikes to help deter vandals.  The project is being carried out as part of work to regenerate the town centre and make it more attractive to shoppers and visitors.Cabinet member for Transport and Environment, Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, said:  “In the past this bridge has effectively been used as a hoarding board for vandals as you enter or leave Acton town centre.  We simply won't allow this to continue and the fact that Network Rail owns it won't stand in our way.  We've stepped in to get it cleaned-up and stop the vandals from coming back. “This bridge is at a very prominent location and I know this will make a real difference as well as delivering something residents have raised as a legitimate concern.  I also hope it will prevent people from climbing on the bridge, which is extremely dangerous.”The work is already underway and is expected to be completed at the end of June.  Some traffic diversions are in place while the work is carried out.For more information about the regeneration of Acton town centre, visit: www.ealing.gov.uk/regeneration'

Dee Cook ● 5945d12 Comments

Yay - unilateral action ignoring the jobsworths at network rail (never known to do anything about anything!)Let's hope it happens.

Sara Nathan ● 5945d

I noticed some metal fencing up there a few months ago, seemingly place to prevent vandals reaching the bridge, but I couldn't remember if it was new fencing or not.

Fred Bray ● 5945d

Well done to the new Labour council. I wonder if it was councillors or something underway by the previous lot....Either way good news!

Iain Muir ● 5945d

At last!  I hope the methods being employed (anti-climb paint and so on) will prevent this happening again.I was fed up writing emails asking for this area to be cleaned up and I know I was not the only one!Well done whoever has decided to do something about this eyesore!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5945d

Just drove under it and it looks fab - gives so much a better impression of Acton.

Sara Nathan ● 5944d

Oh yes, my lot are taking the credit for this thank you very much. The bridge work is part of a £2M regeneration works package approved last year, including the work around Acton Central Station and Market Place. There should still be a few things to do (such as a raised table at the junction with Alfred Rd).The Tories set the budget for the year until March 2011, so if Labour want to do anything new that involves spending money this year they have to either cut something already approved or use reserves.

Vlod Barchuk ● 5944d

I thought the bridge itself was excluded from the regeneration package as a network rail problem for which there wasn't safe access.I'm pretty sure that's what we were told - that it was down to network rail to sort out, not the council

Sara Nathan ● 5944d

" The bridge work is part of a £2M regeneration works package approved last year, including the work around Acton Central Station and Market Place.  "Vlod, can they allocate another £2M to remove the graffiti smiley face from the Town Hall clock tower?

Fred Bray ● 5943d

Fred I agree, I wrote to Streetwatchers a number of times asking for this to be removed but it was a Health & Safety issue apparently!How did the person get up there in the first place I wonder?

Jean F Fernandez ● 5943d

Very many residents have been complaining about the security access to the railway line and the graffiti both on the bridge and along the railway lines for many moons.I would have thought that with the Olympic Games in 2012 the railway people and the Police would be looking at all aspects of security along their networks.A nice easy target for terrorists and those wanting to disrupt the gams I would have thought.

Dee Cook ● 5942d

though you probably wouldn't go for Acton if your aim was to disrupt the Olympics... maybe attention is focused elsewhere?

Sara Nathan ● 5942d

Going back through my notes, there was money set aside in the regen budget for 'improvements' to the bridge. I recall officers telling me Network Rail didn't have the cash to do it; we needed their permission for the painting. There should spikes installed to make it more difficult for graffiti artists to leave their marks.

Vlod Barchuk ● 5940d