A mural of the 19th-century engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel in Briton Ferry, Neath Port Talbot, has been painted over following a dispute with the building's owners, who said they were never asked for permission. The colourful artwork, painted by Welsh street artist JenksArt, was unveiled earlier in 2026 on the side of a building on Neath Road, near Jersey Park.
Funding and Unveiling
Neath Port Talbot Councillor Gareth Rice, who represents Briton Ferry East, funded and unveiled the mural with the aim of bringing something positive to the area. However, the property owner stated that no contact was made and the completion of the works came as a surprise.
Councillor's Response
In a social media post in June 2026, Cllr Rice said he genuinely believed he had sought and received the correct permission for the town mural, though he accepted it would have to be covered up. In a follow-up post, he added that while he was disappointed, he respected the owner’s right to make decisions about their property and called for people to be respectful. He also said there was potential for him to find a site for another similar mural in the town. According to Cllr Rice, “I will now be looking for alternative locations to see if there is anywhere suitable for a replacement or a similar project in the future.”
Outcome
The mural was covered at the beginning of July 2026, with the wall now returned to its original appearance.
