A ROW has broken out over the design of the painted walls of a Queen's Drive underpass.

South Swindon Parish Council was ready to get going with its design featuring the Old Town skyline and trees.

But the borough council stepped in and said the design was 'intimidating'.

Now the parish council has decided to press ahead with the plans, although with a new design.

During a leisure and amenities meeting, parish clerk Rob Core said: “The borough council thought it was intimidating with the trees.

“They’ve sent a load of caveats over what we can and can’t do, how we’re going to manage people, risk assessments, paint.

"It was a two-page email I wasn’t expecting.”

Chairman of the parish council Chris Watts added: “The borough has given up and that’s why they’ve come up with comments like ‘oh we won’t do it because it’ll just be graffitied again'.

“But if we all did thought that then we wouldn’t be doing anything would we?”

It was pointed out in the meeting that an underpass painted last year by Lawn Manor students at Coate Water has suffered very little graffiti.

The parish decided it would continue with plans to paint the underpass but would change the design.

Speaking to the Adver, Coun Watts said: “We’re really pleased with the success of the underpass down by Coate Water.

“The lack of graffiti that’s on it now, how easy it is to clean.

"Coate Water was such a success that we’d like to repeat it here. It’s not the most aesthetic looking subway but it’s got promise”

A borough council spokesman: “We fully support the concept of a mural at this particular location.

“Artwork on public structures can have a positive effect on the surroundings and can help reduce graffiti.

“We have been working closely with the parish council and initial investigation work has already taken place.

“There are a few more things that still need to be addressed before we can proceed, but we are completely behind the idea.”