Underpass under Temeside Way vandalised after one week

Graffiti has been sprayed by someone called Chez declaring his or her love for another - an act of vandalism predicted by Worcester News readers.

The underpass beneath Temeside Way between the Ketch Roundabout and Carrington Bridge only opened on Friday, May 13. 

Parish councillor John Renshaw said: "Despite only being opened on Friday, May 13, the Carrington Bridge underpass has already attracted unwelcome graffiti.

"It’s disappointing and perhaps not surprising given that the promised CCTV cameras haven’t been installed in the underpass yet.

"I’ve reported the graffiti to Worcestershire County Council. 

"They have informed me that even though the underpass is now open to the public it hasn’t been handed over to Worcestershire County Council by the contractor they will arrange for its removal."

People anticipated the vandalism in comments made ahead of the underpass' opening. 

A number of people said it would not be long before the concrete walls of the underpass were covered in graffiti, with one Facebook user describing it as a “blank canvas for the Banksy wannabe”.

Mural located near Diglis, Worcester painted as part of the 2021 Paint Festival

Another said: “What time on Friday will it be open? As I bet it will have graffiti on it a few hours later - then people will be drinking in it, being sick in it and other bodily functions.”

Cllr Renshaw has come up with an idea to stop any future acts of vandalism.

"I’ve also had the idea of putting the underpass forward as a site for a mural for the 2022 Worcester Paint Festival to be held in September.

"The inaugural Paint Festival was held at sites across Worcester in 2021 and unfortunately on that occasion there were no murals located in St Peter’s.

"As well as brightening up the underpass the combination of CCTV, once it’s installed, and a mural should help discourage further graffiti and anti social behaviour there."