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For years, motorists have smiled as they spotted the little landmark known as the Conington barn, next to the A14 between Swavesey and Fenstanton.

Unknown graffiti artists have adorned its walls with messages, the best-known of which was 'You are now leaving the future', and it has been repainted many times. It currently says: 'The future – wish you were here!'

Now the new A14 is going to plough through the field where the barn stands and Highways England chiefs have confirmed it is going to be knocked down.

But that may not be the end of the story.

After a suggestion by a News reader, Highways England officials say it may be possible to create a new wall for graffiti.

David Rudderham emailed the News to say: “With all the A14 roadworks, I'm thinking that the brick building is now likely to be demolished.

“Over the last few years, and as my kids have grown up, I've been impressed by the graffiti/art that appears on this building and I feel the person/s who do this should be recognised in some way.

"Perhaps they could be given a new wall on the side of the new A14. It's often given me and my family a wry smile as we travel up and down the road, particularly as it changes randomly on occasions.”

Highways England has confirmed the building will have to be knocked down.

But the agency’s legacy lead for the A14 project, Gerard Smith, said: “We’re committed to seeing this project bring about long-term benefits for those local communities who are impacted by it. As such we will be completing numerous legacy works aimed at enriching these communities along the new route between Cambridge and Huntingdon.

“Reinstating some sort of art or graffiti wall as a successor to this local landmark could be one of them and is an idea we will thoroughly examine with our team and stakeholders.

“As part of a commitment to the local community, Highways England is looking to support activities with a focus on bringing communities closer together. The A14 scheme will have a lasting impact on the communities along its length and the A14 Community Fund is therefore looking to support projects which consider and respond to these changes.

“Applications to the A14 Community Fund are invited by ‘grant-ready’ constituted not-for-profit groups (not individuals) delivering charitable projects with public benefit. Groups may be registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, schools, social enterprises, parish councils or small voluntary and community organisations.”

Full details on the fund can be found here

The graffiti-spattered barn is frequently mentioned on ocial media. Comments include:

“That's a landmark, that one. I was actually angry when it changed to Deja Vu.”

“This makes me much happier than I'd care to admit.”

“You're on the A14, heading north, Cambridge is the last bastion of civilisation before it all gets grim and backward and northern.”

“I drove past on Sunday. It looks good.”