GRAFFITI marking the word 'hell' on a Rubery bridge will finally be removed after more than six months of haggling.

The word has been left on Whettybridge railings over the A38 since the start of the year while two council's have disputed who is responsible for its removal.

Cllr Peter McDonald said: "It is the first thing drivers see when entering Rubery from Lydiate Ash.

"It gives a false image of Rubery as run-down and uncared for and somewhere where you would not like to shop or live.

"Bromsgrove District Council and Worcestershire County Council have been at logger heads over who is responsible for its removal.

"This has meant local residents have had to put up with this for well over six months.

"At long last the county council has agreed to remove the offending graffiti, but that will not happen until October.

"The reason for this delay is that a road a closure has to be made to enable the graffiti to be removed safely.

"Not only does it mean local residents have to put up with this for another couple of months, but the cost of the road closure runs into thousands of pounds that could have be spent on services not clearing up after vandals.

"No one has the right to deface public or private property and get away with it - it is criminal damage."

Cabinet member with responsibility for highways at Worcestershire County Council, councillor Alan Amos, said the work will be carried out 'as soon as possible'.

He added: "Graffiti removal is usually looked after by the relevant district councils, however due to Whettybridge road being a 70mph speed limit this work needs to be undertaken with a road closure."