The Stratton St Margaret mural, commissioned by Stratton St Margaret Parish Council and completed in 2023 by local artist Sarah Harris, reflects the area’s heritage from Roman and agricultural roots through to modern industry and community life.
In recent years, the artwork and the surrounding Greenbridge underpass have been repeatedly targeted by graffiti and tagging, prompting calls for action from local representatives.
Earlier this week, Marco Di Pinto, aspiring councillor for Lower Stratton and Coleview, joined Councillor Jake Chandler, who represents St Andrew’s Ward, to clean the interior of the underpass.
The pair removed graffiti from the tunnel walls, scrubbed surfaces and cleaned the lighting to improve visibility of the mural.
Mr Di Pinto said:
“The community has shown it is ready to step up. We cleared every bit of graffiti inside the tunnel, scrubbed the walls, and cleaned all of the lighting so the artwork can truly shine again, but the exterior walls are still heavily affected and some of the markings are extremely difficult to remove without specialist equipment.”
He said professional support from Swindon Borough Council would help complete the work and restore the area
“to the standard this artwork deserves”.
The Stratton clean-up follows similar activity elsewhere in Swindon, as councillors and volunteers continue to address graffiti in public spaces.
Recent examples include work around Fleming Way in the town centre and the installation of a new mural at the Link Centre, which has been highlighted as a positive use of public art.
Supporters of the Stratton project say these efforts show what can be achieved when councillors and residents work together to improve neighbourhoods.
Mr Di Pinto said raising awareness of the clean-up could
“encourage pride in Stratton, inspire more volunteers, and potentially more official support to keep this important landmark clean and protected”.
He added that he hopes the work will help prompt wider discussion about how Swindon maintains and protects its public spaces.
