Councillors have decried the vandalism of one of the new waymarkers in Spalding just weeks after they were installed, while town taxpayers will have to pay £23,000 to repair criminal damage in Ayscoughfee.
There are 11 boards which have been installed, including around High Bridge, the Sheep Market, various places along the River Welland and at the railway and bus stations.
They are part of the £250,000 Spalding Reconnected project which received National Lottery funding.
The vandalism was brought up at last week’s meeting of the Spalding Town Forum.
Coun Elizabeth Sneath raised the issue calling the writing over one of the boards as ‘a shame’.
The waymarker in question had been cleaned by Friday.
The meeting was also told that £23,000 to repair a next swing at Ayscoughfee, burnt down last year will have to come from the Spalding Special Expense Rate, the part of the council tax paid by Spalding residents.
The forum was told the equipment is not insured.
A South Holland District Council spokesperson said: “It is extremely disappointing when an individual’s mindless actions cause a waste of time and taxpayer money like this, ultimately impacting the enjoyment and play of local families and young people. However, we are pleased to now be in a position where work can take place to rectify the damage caused, and have these popular play facilities back to their best in time for Easter.”
Coun Gary Taylor (pictured) added: “We’re not prepared to accept vandalism.
“When it was on the increase we managed to get a prosecution.
“We’re spending money, making investments and improvements for all our residents.
“Unfortunately a minority does try to spoil the environment.
“We’ll look to gather evidence and hopefully get more prosecutions.”
