LESS than a week after the Brunel Trail was unveiled at Dawlish, one of the history boards at Lea Mount appears to have been used as a skateboard ramp.
The board was unbolted from its clamps, placed on the ground and then repeatedly scored to destroy the face on the panel. It was found by the steps at the top of Lea Mount path, only yards from the original location. The clamps were stolen.
The site is not within the range of CCTV cameras and so the 'wanton vandalism' continued without observation. The board was found and returned to Dawlish Community Trust by an early morning walker. It is one of six depicting the story behind the famous coastal railway route that runs beside the sea between Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth.
They are linked with the 200th anniversary celebrations of the birthday of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The project embraces the engineering of Brunel and the social and economic changes brought.
The trust and the town had been congratulated by Sam Hunt, regional committee member of the Heritage Lottery Fund, at the opening ceremony. He said that they were an excellent contribution to the tourist appeal of the town and, with the guide leaflet, were an example to hold up to others around the country.
Bob Vickery, chairman of the Dawlish Community Trust, said: 'The money for the boards had come from the public, mainly the Heritage Lottery Fund, and so this destructive assault is a double insult to people of Dawlish. 'The boards have been prepared, printed and installed by Dawlish firms and the results have already attracted many compliments.
'The stupid and selfish actions of a group of lawless kids have not only ruined one of the boards but also destroyed the support that many people have had towards providing skateboard facilities in Dawlish.'