Council will keep removing ‘tribute graffiti’ on bridge
GRAFFITI on a Derby bridge commemorating a young man will continue to be painted over by the council after it reappeared earlier this week.
Graffiti was sprayed on the Grade II-listed Handyside Bridge in Darley Park, near Derby Rowing Club, after Jack Dodder’s death in July.
But after this was painted over by Derby City Council earlier this month, the name “Jack” had appeared on the bridge again by Tuesday.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the council said: “We were deeply saddened by the tragedy of Mr Dodder’s death, and our thoughts go out to the family.
“At the time of the incident, flowers and other memorial items were placed on Handyside Bridge and these were not removed by our Streetpride teams out of respect for Mr Dodder and the family.
“The tribute graffiti was also left on the bridge as a temporary measure. Although no formal conversations took place, we understand that the family were aware that the graffiti would eventually be removed.
“We do not believe permanent graffiti on the bridge is the most appropriate way to remember Mr Dodder and further graffiti will continue to be removed.
“Derby City Council’s Bereavement Services offer memorials to family and friends to remember their loved ones, these are located in the grounds of the cemeteries and crematoria or parks.
“This may provide an appropriate and suitable location for Mr Dodder’s family and friends to remember their loved one.”
The council added that it costs very little to repaint the bridge and generic colours are used on structures which are frequently targeted by graffiti so as to keep costs down.
Handyside Bridge, a Grade II-listed structure since 1974, is also known as the Friar Gate Railway Bridge and was built in 1878 by Andrew Handyside and Co, a Derby company. It originally was a railway bridge until the line became redundant in 1968.
It became the location of several touching tributes to Mr Dodder following his death.
The 22-year-old was found to have died by drowning in an inquest in mid-August after going missing from his home in Chaddesden just days earlier. His car was found in the Derby Rowing Club car park two days before his body was discovered in the River Derwent.
A firework party was held on what would have been his 23rd birthday on August 8, on the bridge and Parkers Piece, in Chester Green.