Edgerton’s historic tram shelter and local landmark has been vandalised again – just weeks after the last lot of graffiti was painted over.
Extra police patrols were drafted in last month to protect the 122-year-old shelter on Edgerton Road but appear not to have deterred the vandals.
It dates back to 1896 and was restored to its previous glory in 2014 when the Tour de France’s Grand Depart passed by.
The shelter still serves bus passengers and was repainted in the old Huddersfield Corporation colours of vermilion and cream.
Edgerton resident Bob Hardy, 90, said: “It’s a shame that this keeps happening but to be honest it’s a surprise that the vandals have left it alone for so long. At the moment it’s unprotected and an easy target for them.”
Councillors quickly arranged for it to be repainted after graffiti tags were daubed all over the Grade II listed shelter back in June.
Kirklees councillor, Sheikh Ullah, (Greenhead, Labour), who has taken the lead in trying to protect the shelter, said: “I am very disappointed that vandals have again graffitied this tram shelter, the very last one of its kind.
“Recently, at my instigation, the public transport body, Metro, repainted the shelter but it didn’t take long for the hoodlums to deface this local landmark.
“Thanks to the prompt action of Metro the graffiti has now been removed and they are looking at the possibility of installing a camera.
“There is a clear pattern as to when the vandalism is taking place. On both occasions it’s happened on a Friday and I would ask local residents to report any suspicious behaviour around the tram shelter to the non-emergency number, 101.
“I have also been informed by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team that they are aware of this and they will increase patrols in the area. They are also looking into the significance of the graffiti tags left by the vandals as they are quite distinctive.”
