A Nottingham underpass which is unknown to many is covered in colourful graffiti that changes every week. The subway underneath the Clifton flyover near Lenton Lane and Thane Road is likely unfamiliar to a lot of Nottingham residents, but hosts a wide array of array of paintings.
The brightly spray-painted tunnels are currently home to large cartoon illustrations, images of pop culture figures like Rocky Balboa and Bruce Lee, and a more unsettling Grim Reaper figure. According to those who come through the underpass regularly, the impressive pieces of street art are replaced every so often by newer additions - making sure the tunnels never remain the same for too long.
Despite graffiti being illegal and considered an act of criminal damage, some local residents have spoken of their fondness for the graffiti - with some even disappointed when their favourite parts were replaced. Neil Edwards, 38, who lives in Clifton and works for BCM Fareva, said: "It always looks pretty good, it's different to most stuff you see where people just write their names. I've even seen someone doing it while I've been waiting for a bus before.
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"I know they shouldn't probably be doing it, but some of it is more art than graffiti - it is really good. I think it also stops the rubbish graffiti from being there, it brightens it up a bit else it would be a lot of just grey."
Roger Greaves, 71, a retiree from Clifton, said: "A lot of the graffiti you see is just plain vandalism but I think this is a bit different. Some of it is quite high quality.
"I think as long as it stays similar to how it is now it doesn't need to be changed. It would just be another dingy walkway without all this, and Nottingham is a creative city."
Chris, who works locally, said the graffiti changed every week. "I don't mind it as it is really well done, most of it is anyway. It just gives you something to look at while walking to work, and it changes every week so there's always something different," he said.
"You get new artists who must come in and paint over the old stuff. It's a whole thing of its own down here it seems."
Another local, Donte, said the paintings gave the underpass a New York feel, although he was disappointed at the removal of his favourite illustration. "Some of them are really good to be honest, I do miss the melting smiley face they used to have here though.
"It's nice to see what has changed since the last time you saw it. The tagging that's a bit higher up on the bridge looks a bit bad though, but the neater ones are colourful and give that New York look."
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