Friday, 24 March 2017 10:37

Graffiti artists’ head for heights

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The handiwork of High Barnet’s graffiti artists is visible above shops such as Specsavers and Greggs’. The handiwork of High Barnet’s graffiti artists is visible above shops such as Specsavers and Greggs’.
Graffiti daubed on walls and the sides of buildings in and around High Barnet has become an increasing eyesore in the opinion of residents who ask the Barnet Society why there has been no attempt in recent months to mount a clean-up.

Barnet Council and Transport for London are both under fire for failing to take action despite repeated requests.

Property owners along the High Street are also under attack for their failure to remove graffiti from prominent places on the walls of upper floor of retail premises and empty shops.

Some of High Barnet’s graffiti artists clearly have a head for heights as walls have been disfigured high above shops such as Specsavers and Greggs’ the bakery.

Nine councillors in wards along the Great North Road have all been asked why no effort has been made to remove the graffiti on the walls of the London Underground bridge at the foot of Barnet Hill.

Transport for London have similarly been urged to clean up the bridge.

Local resident Mary Cannon says the brickwork of the bridge was graffiti-free for many years, but since last year there has been a spate of daubing in and around the High Road junctions with Underhill and Station Road.

The rear of New Barnet fire station has also been disfigured.

“I have lived in Barnet for nearly 30 years and have been shocked to see our streets become shabbier and shabbier in recent months,” she said.

Another indignant resident Simon Atkinson hoped that despite the current financial constraints Barnet Council could remove some of the graffiti, or at least put pressure on the property owners.

5 comments

  • Comment Link Friday, 24 March 2017 12:09 posted by Paulk

    There's an app/website called FixMyStreet that makes it easy to report Graffiti, Fly Posting, Potholes, Roadworks, Lighting Problems, Dog Fouling etc

    Report
  • Comment Link Friday, 24 March 2017 18:32 posted by M. Cannon

    I first reported some graffiti to Barnet last June and to TfL in December. It is still there. So yes easy to report but ineffective.

    Report
  • Comment Link Saturday, 25 March 2017 20:17 posted by Oli Haill

    I have no problem with graffiti , I even enjoy it in some places

    Report
  • Comment Link Friday, 31 March 2017 08:37 posted by Michael Kentish

    Please do not use FixMyStreet as Barnet council now ignore postings there. Maybe that's why there are so many unresolved issues.

    You must use their in-house page: https://www.barnet.gov.uk/citizen-home/report-a-problem.html

    Report
  • Comment Link Thursday, 13 April 2017 13:22 posted by Tony B

    It's not only 'FixMyStreet' that's ignored! I've used the Council website on 2 occasions to report bins not emptied and on another occasion about the appalling standard of grass cutting by their contractor. I was ever so polite but I've not once received a response. And if you phone up, you're told to use the website. I find the Council to be increasingly unresponsive and distant.

    Report

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