Graffiti-daubed Bradford subway makes residents feel unsafe

Offensive graffiti, litter and a lack of lighting in a Bradford underpass have left residents feeling " very unsafe", councillors have warned.

However, clearing all graffiti in the Tong Street subway was "near impossible with current resources", Bradford Council said.

The subway is the main way pedestrians cross Tong Street, Wakefield Road, Rooley Lane and Sticker Lane.

Local councillors said the authority needed to be "more proactive".

Councillor Ursula Sutcliffe told council bosses: "For many people that don't drive, the subways around Tong Street, Wakefield Road and Rooley Lane are an important way to help them get across some of the busiest roads in the city.

"But the litter, graffiti and lack of lighting makes them feel very unsafe.

"We also have extensive damage, anti-social behaviour and litter in subways on Wakefield Road, and Rooley Lane.

"Not only do I receive messages about rubbish and fly-tipping in our ward of Tong but from others around the city. The council need to be more proactive with this."

In response, the council said: "We clean offensive graffiti from the subways in the first instance when reported, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

"Clearing every element of the graffiti in subways is near impossible with current resources and would limit our resource in other areas more visible to members of the public."

They also said although the area was regularly cleared, local businesses "regularly" dumped waste there - which was being investigated.

Fellow councillor Matt Edwards said the issue of tipping in the area had also continued.

He added: "We need proper investment in enforcement cameras and for the fines the council collect to be reinvested in catching the perpetrators."