RBWM to tackle unsightly graffiti on 250-year-old Maidenhead Bridge

Removal of unsightly graffiti on Maidenhead Bridge are due to start today (Thursday) following concerns over the impact on the 250-year-old structure.

Maidenhead Bridge is a Grade I-listed bridge carrying the A4 road over the River Thames between Maidenhead and Taplow.

There are yellow tags in several places along the inside of the bridge on the Maidenhead side.

These are on the flat parts of the stone between its decorative pillars.

Residents spoke to the Advertiser this week to raise concerns about the impact of the graffiti, which appeared last month.

Cynthia Cherry, who lives nearby in Taplow, was one of the people who raised concerns in a letter to Viewpoint (see p25).

“You can’t miss it – it doesn’t look good for visitors coming to Maidenhead,” she said. “Obviously some idiot decided it was time he ought to let everybody know he’s about.

“It’s going to take a lot to get that off. Maidenhead Bridge is old and some of the stonework is crumbling anyway.”

The bridge was constructed in 1777, making next year its 250th anniversary.

Seconding these concerns is Diana le Clercq, who has been working with a neighbour to try and get RBWM to establish a conservation plan for the bridge.

She said she noticed the graffiti about a week before Christmas, around December 18. It sprang up ‘overnight’ soon after the removal of some vegetation on the bridge.

“[The bridge] is the artery between Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. It should be in good condition, and look welcoming, clean and delightful,” she said.

Diana urges caution for any cleaning work.

“The bridge is made of Portland stone, which is very special – it comes from a quarry down in Dorset – and should be treated with care,” she said.

Historic England – the Government’s adviser dedicated to protecting England’s heritage – gives advice on how graffiti should be handled on listed buildings and structures.

It says any works usually requires consent from the local planning authority – and also advises caution on how to conduct such work, echoing residents.

“Some cleaning methods may cause permanent damage to historic building surfaces,” the Historic England. “Many general graffiti removal contractors have no understanding of historic substrates and may use techniques that are too aggressive.”

A council spokesperson, said: “We started work to remove the graffiti from Maidenhead Bridge on Thursday, 29 January, using specialist techniques and equipment appropriate for the bridge and it’s listed status. The work is set to be completed early next week.”