Faded art makes council deputy feel 'embarrassed'

The deputy leader of Bristol City council has said she is "embarrassed" by the deterioration of artwork in the city centre.

The creation, called "Our Common Ground", opened in September and had to be repainted just a month after it was unveiled. It has since continued to deteriorate.

Councillor Heather Mack told Politics West: "I am embarrassed, I am disappointed, I am frustrated that is public money that has gone into that."

The total budget for the artwork was £61,000, half of which came from the city council, which said the art was painted with a water-based "specialist road line marking paint" which has been used elsewhere in the city with no issues.

Mack said she had attended the launch of the artwork, which replaced the fountains on Centre Promenade.

"It was a beautiful painting, it's a bit of legacy work, it's meant to be representing Bristol," she added. "It's a really worthwhile project."

Ruby Logan said she sees the mural regularly when she comes in on the bus.

"It used to be quite nice when it was originally done," she said. "A lot of time was spent doing it and it's really gone to rack and ruin."

"The fountains looked better," said another passer-by, Chris Osborne. "It's a shame, it looks a bit of a mess at the moment."

A statement on the city council's website says repairs will not be possible until at least the spring, because the paint needs to be applied in dry conditions at temperatures over 10C (50F)

"We're investigating if there is a reason why some sections of the artwork are flaking more than other areas and if it has anything to do with the new tarmac surface," the statement says.

"We're also engaging with the artwork installers and the paint supplier's technical department to help us understand what the issue and solutions might be, such as if weather conditions played a part when it was painted."

The artwork is expected to cost between £3,000 and £5,000 per year to maintain.