A NEW footbridge has already been covered in graffiti less than two years after it opened - and residents say the situation is getting worse.
The Broomhall Way Footbridge which crosses the A4440 Southern Link Road is one of the worst affected by the vandalism.
However, other city bridges have also been targeted including the new bridge on Swinesherd Way, near County Hall in Worcester.
Photos show several supports for the Broomhall bridge, which opened in July 2021, have been covered in graffiti, including the tag 'Doom', an image of a rat and an anarchist symbol.
Cllr Dr Steve Cockeram, Green Party city councillor for St Peter's Parish Ward, said: "Graffiti can be a contentious issue, but it is vital that we work together as a community to find ways to promote positive forms of self-expression while also cracking down on illegal and harmful graffiti.
"We also need to focus on the root causes of graffiti, such as a lack of opportunities for youth engagement and creativity."
Cllr Steve Mackay, Conservative city councillor for St Peter's, said: "Rather than referring to it as ‘graffiti’, those that are responsible are actually causing criminal damage and I know that the areas affected have been reported.
"What’s particularly annoying about this is that it all goes onto the bill, and all council tax payers have to foot that bill.
"Although noticeable in St Peter’s at the moment, these acts of vandalism are evident at various times, across the city and it costs time and resources to remove it.
"The city council takes the matter seriously and wherever they can, remove it as soon as practicable.
"I am in regular contact with the community engagement officers and police about this and other matters; in turn they try to engage with young people in the locality in an attempt to stem the problem.
"At the same time I have been looking at other ways to divert those that are tempted to engage in these acts with other amenities in the St Peter’s area."
A couple crossing over the bridge, who did not wish to be identified, said they had noticed the graffiti getting 'steadily worse' since the bridge was opened - they were some of the first St Peter's residents to walk across it.
READ MORE: Broomhall Way Footbridge opens for pedestrians and cyclists
READ MORE: Update on A4440 Southern Link Road
"You are going on a nice country walk and you don't need to be faced with graffiti. We come out for something more aesthetically pleasing," said the woman.
One resident from Rushwick said: "To me, it spoils the look of Worcester. I imagine lots of visitors heading to Malvern and Worcester see that. It must create a bad impression for our city."
The bridge provides a route for pedestrians and cyclists over the dual carriageway from the Power Park in St Peter's to the Norton side.
The Southern Link Road is one of Worcestershire's busiest roads, used by over 30,000 cars each week day.
Broomhall Way Footbridge is one of four crossings installed as part of the wider Southern Link Road scheme.
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council, which managed the Southern Link Road Scheme, said: “We are aware of graffiti on some of our footbridges and are working with our contractor to arrange for its removal.”
West Mercia Police said they had received no reports of the graffiti.
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