Shame, I think, although in some way almost fitting. I suspect one of the ones that got destroyed in February was the balloon one on the South Bank…

BBC News

London transport workers have painted over an iconic mural by “guerrilla artist” Banksy estimated to be worth more than £300,000.

The image depicted a scene from Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, with Samuel L Jackson and John Travolta clutching bananas instead of guns.

It had become one of the most famous graffiti paintings by the artist.

Transport for London said a tough line had to be taken on graffiti because it created an atmosphere of social decay.

[…]

In March a wall mural in east London by the artist was almost entirely removed by thieves.

One of Banksy’s early murals was mistakenly painted over in the same month by Bristol council’s graffiti-removal contractors.

And in February two smaller works in London were also painted over.

Commenting on the latest incident, a spokesman said Transport for London had to take a tough line on removing graffiti because it created a “general atmosphere of neglect and social decay which in turn encourages crime”.

“We have no intention of changing this policy as it makes the transport system safer and more pleasant for passengers.”

The spokesman added that the company recognised that there were some who viewed Banksy’s work as legitimate art but that their graffiti removal teams were “staffed by professional cleaners not professional art critics”.

via pavuk.