Replacing the graffiti

Published: Thursday, 18 March 2010

AS PART of the Towpath Tidy event, a mural was produced to replace the offending graffiti on a waterway bridge at Kirklees on the Calder & Hebble Navigation.

British Waterways along with partners and volunteers from the local community, in addition to cleaning up the towpaths finished one day with a mural designed by artist Ged Walker and with the help of the Kirklees Youth Offending Team, replacing graffiti on a bridge.

Laurence Morgan, Waterways Manager for British Waterways North East explained:

"The event was a great success and we're hoping that this gives the local community an increased sense of ownership in improving their local environment. The canals and rivers of West Yorkshire are a vital leisure and recreation resource for the local community so it's essential that we continue to work together to preserve them.

"The volunteer effort highlighted the problems we face with littering and fly tipped waste. We removed 11 bicycles, a motorcycle, three shopping trolleys and three tonnes of general litter and debris in one day. We were also able to do some preliminary work for painting the locks which helps tremendously with our routine maintenance work throughout the year."

There are many opportunities to get involved and anyone interested in volunteering should contact the area volunteer coordinator Cassie Weaver on 01782 779934 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.."