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Blackpool traders warned over graffiti
A FORGOTTEN walkway has become a magnet for graffiti artists in Blackpool town centre.
The walls of the elevated path which links the Houndshill Centre via the old Palace nightclub with the footbridge over the Promenade are daubed in paint and scrawled logos.
The walkway is no longer in use, but a fence designed to prevent access has been trampled down, indicating that people have nevertheless been using the concrete pedestrian link.
The footbridge over the Promenade is to be demolished but the rest of the walkway will remain, although not open to the public.
Because the graffiti is on private buildings, the responsibility for removing it remains with the owners.
Blackpool Council said it had alerted fashion store TK Maxx to the graffiti on its building following a complaint from a member of the public.
Jez Evans, Streetscene manager for Blackpool Council, said: "The buildings are not owned by Blackpool Council and responsibility for graffiti and tagging of this nature is the responsibility of the property owner."
Referring to TK Maxx, he added: "The property owner has been approached and has declined to take any action on it. However, should they propose to take any action, the council would be only to happy to provide a service."
The council will remove graffiti from private buildings for a non-profit making fee.
Talbot ward councillor Ron Bell, whose area covers the town centre, called on people to report any vandalism they witnessed.
Coun Bell said: "I'm very keen for any members of the public to report any cases of graffiti to the ward councillors. We have been making strides on this with the police in other areas such as Raikes Parade.
"It is totally unacceptable that people should vandalise property in this way."
A council spokeswoman said the fencing to prevent access to the walkway was now being repaired.
No date is currently available for the demolition of the footbridge but it is earmarked for removal as part of the current phase of Promenade regeneration work, due to be completed by May 15.
No one at TK Maxx was available to comment.
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: West
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Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
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