Art or an eyesore?

12:45pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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An unusual mural has caused a stir in Streatham Hill, with one resident calling it an "eyesore".

The artwork, painted on the bridge between Drewstead Road and Sternhold Avenue, depicts silhouettes of young and elderly people walking, talking and feeding pidgeons.

"A perfectly nice area has been turned into slum and I intend to find out why."

Martin Francis

The venture was funded by Transport for London and carried out with Lambeth Council.

But while a council spokesman insisted the mural had evoked lots of positive feedback, resident Martin Francis called it a "monstrosity".

"If the intention is to create some sort of Banksy type art in the area then I can assure the council and TfL that this particular amateurish execution falls completely short of the mark, and only serves to make the area look scruffy," said Mr Francis, from Hannay Walk.

"Perhaps the motivation was to a create backdrop for young people in hoods to gather and drink cider on the bridge," he continued. "As someone who was jumped by such a gang only six months ago on that same spot, I strongly recommend against this.

"A perfectly nice area has been turned into slum and I intend to find out why."

The council spokesman said councillors had been consulted about the mural.

"Art is subjective and gets people talking," he said. "We've turned a tired, grey concrete wall into something attractive and interesting."