Graffiti yobs hit road signs

Aug 27 2008 By Daniel Bissett

VANDALS in the Ogwen Valley have sprayed "indecent" graffiti on road signs which is feared could endanger the lives of motorists and cost local services hundreds of pounds.

Around six signs in and around the A5 road, which goes through Bethesda and the back roads to Tregarth and Mynydd Llandygai, plus a bus shelter and private property have been defaced with most of the bilingual signs having the English print painted over.

Some of the graffiti has been labelled "offensive" and "anti-English".

The acts of vandalism, which were believed to have carried out on the night of August 19, have been slammed by a local councillor.

Cllr Gwen Griffith, Gwynedd member for the Tregarth and Mynydd Llandygai ward, said: "I’m very sad at this mindless act of vandalism, particularly at this time of year, when there are a lot of English holidaymakers in the area.

"This could endanger the safety of people, not to mention the economic climate we’re in when we’re fighting for every penny, and these louts come along with nothing better to do than to vandalise property like this.

"The graffiti is indecent, and seems to be anti-English, but unfortunately the highways department at Gwynedd Council can’t come out straight away and clean it off.

"It’s going to cost the council hundreds of pounds to repair."

Bethesda resident Alan McIntyre said: "We noticed the graffiti on Wednesday last week, and one of the road signs was almost decapitated and then thrown in a bush.

"This graffiti is offensive and dangerous. We just hope it can be cleaned up as soon as possible."

Meirion Williams, Gwynedd Council’s Arfon area engineer, said: "We can confirm that paint has been daubed on the Class Three road leading from Bro Syr Ifor to the Half Way Bridge, as well as on many road traffic signs in the area.

"Graffiti was also daubed on a nearby bus shelter and on private property.

"As well as being illegal, painting, markings or graffiti on any highway or road traffic sign can endanger the lives of road users.

"Accordingly, we will be arranging for these to be cleaned as soon as possible and we have contacted Bethesda Community Council to inform them of the damage to the shelter."

A North Wales Police spokeswoman said: "The vandalism was reported to police on Wednesday, August 20, with at least five road signs having been sprayed and investigations are still ongoing."

Anyone with information can contact the police on 0845 607 1001 (Welsh line), 0845 607 1002 (English line) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.