Criticism as council spend on mural almost doubles

A council in Nottinghamshire is facing criticism after spending £47,000 on a new mural, almost double the original cost.

The mural, on both sides of the A1 underpass in Lincoln Road, Tuxford, depicts elements of Tuxford's history and heritage in a bid to improve the look of the underpass.

Bassetlaw District Council said £25,000 was set aside for the project, but costs increased when it was told safety measures were needed to protect the artists and pedestrians.

District councillor Lewis Stanniland questioned how the costs "ballooned", but the council said the safety measures, including traffic lights, "significantly contributed to the additional costs".

The mural depicts different elements of Tuxford's history, including its time as a major coaching hub in the 1800s, its connection to the brewing industry and a fire in 1702 that almost wiped out the entire town.

Tuxford received £1m in Town Streetscaping Funding in 2024 through Labour-run Bassetlaw District Council, which decided where to spend the funds.

So far, about £335,000 has been spent on revamping shop frontages, additional CCTV coverage, play equipment on parks, defibrillators, speed reduction signs and market stalls.

£25,000 was set aside for the mural and the artist worked with a local school, charity and community groups to shape the project.

The project was approved in 2024 and completed in August 2026.

Steve Scotthorne, cabinet member for planning, identity and place, said: "It is something nice to see on a dull underpass.

"Not everyone will like what they see but it's about giving Tuxford a positive outlook and getting visitors in."

He said the costs increased when Via East Midlands, which provides road maintenance services for Nottinghamshire County Council, told Bassetlaw District Council when the work had already started that it needed to put in safety measures to protect the artists and pedestrians.

"We were quite happy to budget for £25,000 but we had Via say they were concerned about the safety of artists and the people getting involved," he said.

"We needed to spend that money and we tried to make it as low as we could.

"The cost was disappointing but we want to see our town centres thriving and people talking positively about them."

Via East Midlands said it initially granted the council with a license for the mural works to take place.

But a spokesperson added: "After receiving complaints from members of the public about school children walking in the road due to the footway being blocked, an inspection of the site took place which resulted in discussions with BDC about how to make the site safe.

"Of the options discussed, Bassetlaw District Council decided to put in place temporary traffic management for the remainder of the project.

"Whilst we're aware the need for additional measures will have increased the cost of the project, the safety of pedestrians and road users was our priority."

Reform UK district councillor Stanniland asked at the authority's full council meeting for details of how the public were consulted on the mural.

He said: "I think [it] was expensive for £25,000 but the costs spiralled out of control.

"I've had so much feedback from the community.

"Both sides of the bridge are conservation areas and I don't think it is in keeping with that."

Edna Blades, who grew up in Tuxford, said: "I expected that it was going to be lovely - but you can't really see it if you are in the car or even walking through.

"I grew up here and I remember this bridge being built. A bit of lighting would have been good so it was brighter, or something to calm the noise."

Julia Bingham, 78, added: "I like one side of the mural because it represents Tuxford but I am not sure about the other side.

"It seems an awful lot of money to spend and I think we could have had something better in the village."

The council has consulted on how to spend the remaining £400,000 and a portion will be spent on improvements to Gilbert Avenue Playing Field in the town.

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