Simon Davis, a resident of St Andrews, believes The Arches railway bridge over Cheltenham Road is not being properly maintained.

He says it has become unsightly in recent years because plants have grown out of the brickwork and the structure has been covered in graffiti.

IT consultant Mr Davis believes the state of the landmark Victorian bridge creates a bad impression for visitors travelling into the city centre along the A38.

He says he has been complaining about the condition of the bridge to Network Rail, the owner and operator of the British rail infrastructure, since 2006 but nothing has been done to tidy it up.

Mr Davis, 42, said the bridge has been left to deteriorate since it was last sandblasted several years ago.

He said: "Nothing appears to have been done to remove the graffiti over the last few years and it looks like Network Rail have not kept up regular maintenance of the stonework in terms of removing the plant growth.

"It will get to the stage where it becomes unsafe. I have tried to contact them but each time they have passed the buck.

"The bridge is on a gateway into Bristol and it is looking to become a host city for the World Cup. The first thing a lot of people coming into the city for the first time will see is a bridge which hasn't been looked after. Surely, the city council has the powers to enforce a clean-up."

Mr Davis added: "I know there is a finite amount of cash but Network Rail should at least tell us when they are planning to tidy up the bridge so people's expectations can be managed."

Mavis Choong, spokeswoman for Network Rail, said the bridge – which is at the junction of Cheltenham Road, North Road and Cotham Brow – would only receive a clean-up when it was next strengthened. She said: "Unfortunately, rail infrastructure is a prime target for graffiti vandals. Vandalism is not only a crime, it also costs the rail industry millions every year.

"As we are not funded by the Government to carry out cosmetic work, we would aim to spruce up the bridge whenever we are funded to strengthen the bridge, and/or work with external partners to explore other avenues."