They say two wrongs don’t make a right, but there could be an exception to the rule after it has been proposed to ask a graffiti artist to use his artistic licence to cover up vandalism in Eaton Bray.
Ongoing concerns regarding graffiti on the skatepark, at the recreation ground on School Lane, has prompted Eaton Bray Parish Council to consider an unusual way to tackle the crime.
Councillor Gordon Johns was chairman of the council meeting where the idea was discussed and has voiced his opinions on the potential solution.
He said: “The skatepark we have purchased and put in a couple of years ago now is a great facility and is valued by the kids.
“However, kids congregate in the area and draw graffiti, which is a tedious and expensive business to keep cleaning.
“We want to consult kids to find out the issues and concerns of the decoration on the right lines if we went ahead with the drawing, which was pointed out by someone.”
Mr Johns has also expressed his interest in making sure the designs are of benefit to those using the skatepark and that their opinions are heard.
He said: “Maybe we could get kids who are users of the skatepark and interested in decorating it to get in touch.
“We would like to hear their ideas. We would like to solve this problem as soon as possible because in the meantime we are left with the skatepark looking as it is now.”
LBO readers took to Twitter to voice their views on the idea, including Edlesborough’s Aylesbury Vale District Councillor Chris Poll.
He said: “Graffiti vandals don’t care what’s on the canvas, just that there is a canvas.”
However, Sue Fitz disagreed, saying: “Great idea, kids should be surrounded by creative, colourful art, not grey, depressing slabs of cement.”
Gary Nunn tweeted: “Ask the kids it’s for them after all! Good opportunity to engage and delight, we need young folk on our side.”
Councillors will now look into the idea of bringing in a professional graffiti artist to help make the skatepark more aesthetically pleasing and display more attractive art within the skate bowl in order to stop indiscriminate markings and deter vandals from using spray paint.
Their findings will be presented to the parish council at their next meeting in November and it was also decided the council would look into concreting, paving or matting the seating section next to the skatepark, which is becoming increasingly muddy.
Councillor Johns added: “It is not something we have decided. We will get some feedback from the meeting in November. The most important thing is that it helps users of the skatepark and is obviously not extortionately expensive.”
Get in touch with your views, tweet @LBOAmanda, email amanda.devlin@jpress.co.uk, or call 01582798512.