ILLUMINATED artwork on a railway bridge creating a ‘gateway to Acton’ as part of £655,000 of improvements to the town centre has been vandalised just hours after the lights were switched on.
Letters spelling out Acton were installed on the bridge with lights behind them, which will change colour weekly. They were turned on permanently on Tuesday night but by the following morning the letter A had been torn down.
Council leader Julian Bell, said: “It’s shocking that within days of the new sign on Acton Vale bridge being installed it was vandalised. It was a mindless and irresponsible act which could have endangered pedestrians and road users below.
“Although the letters are only made of low value thin copper sheeting, we will be reviewing security measures and checking CCTV images.
“The new look bridge creates a warm, colourful welcome to Acton at a key gateway to the borough and we will be looking to repair the damage as soon as possible.”
The damaged landmark, which cost £35,000, is part of a series of changes, including the oak tree design smartening up Beechworth House and the work currently underway to improve paving and lighting around St Mary’s Church.
The money has also been used to replace and relocate the leaking green storage box used by market traders in The Mount as well as the launch of a Love Acton campaign, to help set up the W3 gallery in the High Street, lighting, paving and road improvements and other schemes.
Most of the funding, £475,000, came from the London mayor’s Outer London Fund. The remaining £180,000 was supplied by the council.
