Woolston, Southampton: Over 280 graffiti tags to be cleaned

Residents and partners met this week to celebrate improvements being made to the neighbourhood, with the Woolston Community Association leading the charge.

The local group was awarded funding from Southampton City Council to remove the graffiti in the Woolston and Weston areas, with money coming from the UKS Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The main goal of the UKSPF is to build pride in place for local residents and increase life chances across the UK.

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A group of volunteers has worked in partnership with a local cleaning company and so far over 70 tags have been removed from Woolston and Weston.

Over 280 graffiti tags will be removed from residential streets, business locations, green spaces, parks and the waterfront areas. 

Paul Spencer is the vice chair of Woolston Community Association and said that it has been 'very sad' to see vandals defacing public spaces.

The Woolston Community Association, local cleaning companies and Southampton City Council councillors met to discuss the project. (Image: Southampton City Council) Mr Spencer said: "We have been able to remove graffiti effectively and with minimal impact on the environment using high pressure water at high temperatures.

"This often removes the need for the use of any additional cleaning products. We hope this project will contribute towards improving the area for residents, businesses and visitors.” 

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Councillor Christie Lambert, cabinet member for communities and safer city at Southampton City Council, said: “It’s wonderful to hear about the great work that has taken place in Woolston and Weston thanks to this funding.

"Well done to Woolston Community Association and partners for this excellent result. Graffiti is a criminal offence punishable with possible imprisonment and fines, so I would urge people who are considering such behaviour to think again."

Martin Wilcox, who is the east district operations manager within city services at Southampton City Council, said: “This is a great opportunity to show what can be achieved by the determination of local residents working with Southampton City Council to keep the area they live in clean, tidy and well maintained.”