'Anti-religion' graffiti on M6 motorway bridge could 'cost lives'

Highways bosses have issued a warning to motorists over new graffiti spray-painted on a bridge over the M6 motorway. They called it a potential 'distraction' and as such, said it could 'cost lives'.

The messages, painted on a footbridge between Lancaster and Preston, have appeared in the last few weeks. They have an anti-religion theme with one declaring: "We invented God."

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National Highways, which is responsible for maintenance and safety on motorways and trunk roads, called the messages a 'distraction' and said that work will now have to be carried out to remove them.

A spokesperson for National Highways told LancsLive: "Graffiti is designed to catch the eye, so the roadside is the worst place for it. Any unnecessary distraction for motorists can cause collisions and cost lives. That is besides the cost of removing it which could be better spent maintaining our roads.”

The acts of vandalism are the latest graffiti messages to be painted on bridges along the M6. In November 2021 graffiti appeared on a number of pedestrian and road bridges heading over the M6 northbound and southbound between Preston and Lancaster, which led to many a wry smile among the more considerate of drivers.

The yellow spray-painted signs included "why are you a middle lane moron?", "keep left unless overtaking" and "hey you, middle lane moron, get over!"

Around 40 years ago 'The Pies' was painted on one M6 bridge after a Liverpool band of that name became stranded. The Pies released their first album in 2016 - 30 years after their name first started appearing on motorway bridges all around the North West.