'Community effort' ruined by selfish act

A BUS shelter in Station Road, Diggle was covered in graffiti, along with the storage unit and nearby wall

3 More Image(s) In Gallery

AN ACT of vandalism in Diggle has been branded "a disgrace" after volunteers found their hard work ruined by graffiti.

A bus shelter in Station Road and storage container near the Standedge Canal Tunnel belonging to the Canal & River Trust were both targeted at the weekend.

The container had been painted by local police, volunteers from Diggle Community Association and the CRT in June 2016.

Residents hoping the offenders will be caught pointed towards the 'tag', or signature, included in paintwork.

Chairman for the DCA Mark Brooks, who helped to paint the container, said: "It was a disgrace to see the damage caused by this selfish act.

"Not only was the cabin vandalised but the walls to the 200-year-old canal tunnel suffered the same fate too.

"Whilst the community was selfless in wanting to create a better environment for others it has taken just one selfish act to destroy this and the good work of the volunteers."

Police have been informed about the damage by the CRT, who own the cabin and currently use it as a storage unit.

Work on the then rusty container began in early 2016 when DCA volunteers took on the responsibility to help maintain the Diggle stretch of canal.

Volunteers spent two weekends in June preparing and painting the cabin with the aim of sprucing it up for use as an information point with notice boards about Diggle, its surroundings and the historical significance of the Standedge Tunnel.

Inappropriate

Mr Brooks said: "It was a real community effort with the selfless aim of improving the surroundings for both residents and visitors alike.

"While some may see this as a misdirected effort at artistic expression it's certainly in the wrong place and of an inappropriate style.

"My plea to the graffiti vandal is to return to the Diggle cabin, right your wrong and give something more appropriate back to the community."

A resident said on social media: "It looks dreadful.

"It's not art, it's vandalism."

The DCA has called on volunteers to help repaint the cabin and remove the graffiti from the tunnel walls.

For information email DCAChairman@gmail.com.

Anyone with information about the graffiti should contact GMP on 101.