A PAINT job planned for abandoned shop fronts has proved unpalatable to some Stroud Green residents. Haringey Council wants to decorate the steel shutters of properties on Quernmore Road to deter graffiti artists from leaving their mark. But residents sa

A PAINT job planned for abandoned shop fronts has proved unpalatable to some Stroud Green residents.

Haringey Council wants to decorate the steel shutters of properties on Quernmore Road to deter graffiti artists from leaving their mark.

But residents say the £8,000 scheme is a waste of money and have launched a protest petition.

Clive Carter from the Stroud Green Residents' Association (SGRA) said: "It's a lot of money to spend and the artist they have got to do it isn't even local.

"It's completely bonkers.

"There are things that need to be done around here that are a higher priority than this frivolous painting of private property."

Quernmore Road is a cul-de-sac leading to Harringay train station but has become run down over the past few years.

Only a handful of shops are still open and residents say there are regular muggings in the street, used as a getaway route for people escaping the police.

Haringey Council decided to spend £8,000 of the Making the Difference grant allocated for the area to brighten up Quernmore Road after some residents suggested a makeover.

They have commissioned a Tottenham artist to paint coloured stripes on the shutters and work could start in the next few months.

A council spokesman said: "This is a scheme originally suggested by residents under the Making the Difference budget which was set up to support small-scale improvements put forward by local people.

"We are currently consulting, with designs on display in Stroud Green library until January 27. We have already received a number of comments, both on the designs and on whether the project itself should go ahead.

"Final decisions will then be taken by ward councillors. There's no question of imposing this scheme if residents and traders don't want it."

Paul Stork, also from SGRA, said: "There has been no consultation with residents about the whole idea and the process has not been open and transparent.

"There is no evidence to suggest any graffiti on these shops at all. The council is saying it has to spend the grant or it will lose it but it's an appalling waste of money."

broadway@hamhigh.co.uk