Unsightly bridge set for repaint after long fought campaign (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Unsightly bridge crossing Kingston Road in Wimbledon Chase set for repaint after long fought campaign

3:20pm Monday 18th February 2013 in News By Lauren May, Chief Reporter

An unsightly bridge is finally set to be painted after nearly four years of lobbying by campaigners.

The rail bridge, crossing Kingston Road in Wimbledon Chase, was partially repainted and graffiti removed in 2011 after a two year campaign and 700 signature petition backed by Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond.  

At the time Network Rail said completing the job would cost a further £100,000 which they could not afford.

Now, it seems Network Rail have finally promised to finish the job and repaint the whole bridge.

While Network Rail could not confirm when work to spruce up the eyesore will be carried out, a spokesman said it would be at some point in the next financial year. 

Anthony Fairclough, secretary to the Merton Liberal Democrats who helped campaign on the issue, said: "It took two years for us to convince them to paint out the worst of the graffiti, which was far too long.

"That's obviously set the ball rolling on getting them to sort out the whole bridge.

"There should be a straightforward way for members of the public to report these kind of problems and then action from those who're responsible.

"You shouldn’t need to be a transport expert or oddly persistent, to get rubbish and graffiti removed near where you live, just because it happens to be on railway land or structures."