RESIDENTS are determined to wipe out ugly graffiti that has blighted a railway footbridge in Bush Hill Park for almost a decade.

Members of the community have grown increasingly disgruntled as the narrow metal pedestrian walkway, which straddles a section of track between Enfield Town and Bush Hill Park station and links Abbey Road to Lincoln Crescent, has become defaced by multi-coloured tags and abstract daubings.

The metal walls are now so plastered with visual vandalism that taggers have started to use the ground as a canvas for their scribbles.

Some pedestrians avoid using the bridge because the lack of adequate lighting leaves them in fear for their safety.

John Jewson chairs a community group which liaises with the area's police Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) to set policing priorities. He wants action now.

Mr Jewson said: "It looks absolutely awful. Those responsible must realise they cannot get away with defacing the area."

Mr Jewson claims that nothing has been done for about two years, and thinks the prevalence of illegal signs and symbols could be down to broken window syndrome', where failing to rid the bridge of old drawings encourages graffiti artists to add new ones.

Mr Jewson said: "Once one person has put up graffiti, others think it's alright for them to do the same."

Tony Kingsnorth heads the Bush HIll Park residents' association. He described the state of the bridge as "crummy" and wants to see youngsters replace the graffiti with something artistic.

Shirley Mason, of the Enfield Arts Partnership, said the group, which is a creative organisation, would be interested in repainting the dilapidated bridge.

The council said it was looking into the problem. Newtwork Rail, which owns the bridge, said it had not received any complaints but would investigate any problems.

People with complaints should call Network Rail on 08457 114141.