More than two years of complaining seems to have paid off after a graffiti-hit railway bridge was spruced up and relieved of its offensive language.

The bridge, at Wimbledon Chase station in Kingston Road, was partially repainted by Network Rail on Friday, October 28, who said in March that it would cost £100,000 which it could not afford.

This was despite a 700 residents signing a petition collected by Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond in August 2009.

But in a letter from Network Rail’s chief executive David Higgins to Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon, the company promised to repaint the four corners of the bridge, which it did on Friday.

Ms Pidgeon said: “After years of campaigning on the issue of the unsightly graffiti on Wimbledon Chase Bridge, I am delighted that Network Rail has finally seen sense and is going to make much needed improvements by cleaning up the bridge.

"I have visited the bridge and spoken to local residents and business owners, who all agree that the graffiti has had a negative impact on the local area."

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Graffiti and so-called ‘tagging’ blight all sorts of infrastructure across London, including the railways.

“We spend more than £3.5m every year removing graffiti from the railway, but because of the sheer amount we have to prioritise that which impacts upon safety or is offensive.”

Anthony Fairclough, who lives in Merton Hall Road, said: "Looking at the bridge in daylight, it's not the best job ever - but it's a start!

"We need a straightforward way of reporting these kind of problems and then action from the people who are responsible.

"You shouldn’t need to be a transport expert to get rubbish and graffiti removed near where you live, just because it happens to be on railway land or structures."

What do you think now the bridge has been repainted? Leave a comment below or contact Omar by calling 020 8722 6335; tweeting @OmarOakes or emailing: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.