Writing's on the wall for graffiti
UNSIGHTLY graffiti is ready to be erased for good in the town courtesy of a new Clean Neighbourhood Project initiated by Ballymena Community Safety Partnership (CSP).
In the true ethos of ‘partnership working’, representatives of Ballymena BIDS Town Centre Partnership, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), PSNI, Ballymena Retailers Against Crime and Ballymena Borough Council are lending their support to the campaign.
Their united aim? - To rid our wrteets and buildings of the scourge of indiscriminate, unwanted and unsightly script.
Property owners of sites and buildings where graffiti has been identified as a problem are now being approached to give permission for its removal.
Physical removal is being carried out by NIHE contractors and paid for with funding from the Northern Ireland Office’s (NIO) Community Safety Unit.
If successful the project could result in the removal of around 21,000 worth of graffiti by March 2011.
“It seems strange to put a price on graffit,” said CSP Chairperson, Hilary Kyle.
“But, there is, of course, a cost attached to its removal.
“What we’re hoping is that this cash injection will set the ball rolling in terms of relevant bodies working in partnership to get rid of something which really does tarnish the image of our borough,” she said.
“Alderman PJ McAvoy, chairman of the Ballymena BIDS Town Centre Partnership, added: “It is essential in the current competitive economic climate that Ballymena remains a highly attractive environment in which to work and reside.
“Graffiti can create the totally wrong image of an area and can lead to perceptions that are inaccurate.
“This project will be of huge benefit to the borough and especially the town centre where visitors and new potential business people need to feel that they can enjoy a safe and attractive environment,” he said.
As the eradication work gets underway, the retail and business community are being asked to support the initiative by reporting any new incidents of graffiti in the town centre.
These should be made to Trevor Parker of Ballymena Retailers Against Crime on 25646050.
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Weather for Ballymena
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
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