Mosaic by Chartist mural creator falls into ruin

A mural by the artist who created Newport's beloved Chartist mural has been left to fall into ruin.

The image, known as the florist wall, was inspired by the nearby market.

Large chunks can be seen to be missing from the work, created by artist Kenneth Budd.

Newport council said it was investigating how to repair the work.

Kenneth Budd's son, Oliver Budd, also a mosaicist, believed the damage had been caused by water.

The 63-year-old dubbed what had happened "sad" and "tragic".

The Chartist mural was controversially demolished by the council in 2013 after attempts to save it failed.

Oliver Budd was contracted to look after the mosaics until about 2000, he said.

"It was always a fairly minimal cost but they dumped that and it all got worse and worse," he said.

"It was dumped because of budgetary requirements, and we cannot mend things for nothing, we have a company to run.

"We had been working in Newport since the early '70s until a few years ago, and up and down the valleys, and we have made lots of friends there.

"If we'd have maintained it it would have been minimal work but when it gets wet that is when problems occur."

He believed vandalism could have led to water damage.

"What happens is that you get damage - it could be airgun shots, which you get a lot of in Newport - or people hit it with a hammer, then the water gets in," he said.

"They have given a good 40-odd years of service, but as soon as water gets in they start to degrade.

"That's fine if you catch it early, but they did not keep up (repair work)."

The mosaic is in a subway on Newport's Old Green Roundabout, which is set to redeveloped.

It is one of a number there. As well as the florist mural, there is one depicting some shop windows, and one depicting the Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Company.

Mr Budd expected the murals to be demolished as part of the works.

"It is sad that things go but actually when you get these commissions they are always on the back of developments and this is just a new development."

Newport council said: "As part of the public consultation on the proposed Old Green improvements, people were asked for their views on options for the murals and this included relocation and replication.

"The best way to repair and conserve the damaged mural is being investigated.

"A report on the consultation and the recommendations for the central Newport travel improvements will be published later this year."