Anger as popular mural is covered after graffiti attacks

Published on Saturday 6 September 2008 10:35

ITS pictures of everyday life in the Capital have long put a smile on the faces of thousands of passers-by.

Now the city council has sparked complaints of a "whitewash" after ordering a popular mural be replaced with plain paint.

The "cover up" has been ordered after graffiti sprayed on the artwork on the Telfer Subway was deemed "offensive" by officials.

Most of the graffiti on the murals was illegible, but one piece read "Blair, Bush & Israel – partners in war crime".

Council contractors started overhauling the mural on the tiled subway – which links Fountainbridge with Dalry – this week.

They scraped and blasted years worth of paint, including the latest mural which was painted in the 1990s. It depicted well-known local landmarks and personalities including the subway's stalwart busker.

The council said it would cost too much to replace the mural, opting instead for a 9000 whitewash, using anti-graffiti paint.

However, community leaders have hit out at the move, saying they had not been given any say in the mural's fate. Councillor Joanna Coleman, who represents Sighthill and Gorgie, wants the work halted so that alternatives can be considered.

One idea she wants to be considered is to give graffiti artists the chance to decorate the subway themselves, with the aim of giving them a sense of ownership over the new mural, rather than destroying it.

"We need to have a proper debate. This has worked in other areas of the country. If I had been told about this, I would have immediately asked the public what it wants – that's crucial."

Councillor Eric Milligan added: "Beige is certainly no fun, that's for sure. However, I do feel this is an issue about what could make people use this subway more.

"If there is graffiti, many people, particularly older ones, are put off from going through. If it looks more inviting, they may."

The Telfer Subway allows pedestrians to walk underneath the West Approach Road. It was painted with a community mural in the late 1970s and again in the 1990s, at the request and design of community groups.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said: "Regrettably, it appears not all councillors were consulted about plans to remove offensive graffiti.

"However, this is now being remedied and we will of course take into account all local councillors' views to determine the final scheme for it."