Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER Published: 21 December 2007
Graffiti team takes to water
STAFF from Islington Council will soon be boarding a barge on Regent’s Canal to blitz graffiti that couldn’t otherwise be reached. From February, the council’s Graffiti Response Team will regularly spray and scrub the walls of the waterway with environmentally friendly products.
They will be using a barge, supplied by British Waterways – because their existing equipment will not reach across the canal.
Lucy Watt, Islington Council’s executive member for environment, said: “Regent’s Canal is used and enjoyed by so many people, which is why we’re doing whatever it takes to get to grips with vandalism. “Our Graffiti Response Team is equipped with all the latest products and machines, and has the specialist knowledge to deal with the problem. “Using this barge along Regent’s Canal is the latest example of how we’re striving for a cleaner, safer and greener borough.”
The council will be cleaning up graffiti along the canal from York Way down to New North Road from February.
It follows a successful trial back in October, during Graffiti Awareness Week.
The council’s Response Team aims to remove offensive graffiti within 24 hours, and operates a dedicated van with specialist equipment.