The graffiti-covered pedestrian tunnel connecting Huntingtower Road and Station Road was painted over by workers employed by Network Rail last week.

But two days later selfish vandals struck again, scrawling on messages with marker pens.

The 'black hole' tunnel has become a hotspot for drug dealing and vandalism despite promises made seven years ago to sort the intimidating area out.

Railway crime education manager for Network Rail Terry Hawkins said: "We take a very tough line on graffiti – it is a very serious offence.

"Not only is it anti-social, it costs the railway industry millions of pounds every year, money we'd rather spend improving the railway.But two days

"Graffiti is not harmless fun - it's a serious blight on the environment.

In many cases unpleasant for passengers and people to look at.

"Our maintenance crews fight a constant battle to remove graffiti and hope that this site will remain graffiti-free."

Earlier this year the Journal reported neighbours' anger at a lack of action over the tunnel and problems associated with it.

South Kesteven District Council admitted they had "let the issue slip".

Despite drawing up plans to transform the area around the tunnel in 2001 and 2005 and receiving £20,000 for the installation of CCTV in the area from a housebuilder back in 2007, no action was taken.

Officials hope to install a CCTV camera in the coming months and SKDC has promised this is just the start of a wider project to revamp the area and make it safer for pedestrians.

? Do you know the mindless cretins who have graffitied the tunnel already ? Are you Sarah, JJ, Paul, Jamie-Lee, Darren, Sara, Kirsty, Mikie, Danny H or Paddy W? E-mail your news and views to comment@granthamjournal.co.uk

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