Neglected subway transformed by colourful art

A well-known anonymous street artist has joined forces with school children to transform a neglected subway.

Binty Bint worked with year 10 students from Parker E-ACT Academy, to create the colourful community art space in the Ashby Road underpass in Daventry, Northamptonshire.

Before the project began, offenders from the county's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Immediate Justice programme cut back overgrown vegetation, cleared debris and prepared the walls with a lick of white paint.

The aim is to build community pride and to stop anti-social behaviour, West Northamptonshire Council said.

The project was a joint initiative between the authority and Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone.

The students, supported by their teacher Donna Thacker, created individual pieces on the theme of artworks displayed in a gallery.

Binty then contributed her own designs and shared professional guidance and artistic techniques throughout the project.

The subway was first painted about 30 years ago and had "significantly deteriorated", the council said.

It was now a "bright, welcoming environment that showcases local creativity", it added.

Reform UK councillor Nigel Stansfield, cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste, said: "This project is about much more than creating a mural.

"It's about bringing partners together, engaging young people in a positive activity and creating a space that the whole community can be proud of.

"When young people help design and create public artwork, they develop a sense of ownership over that space.

"In turn, people are more likely to respect it and look after it."

Labour's Stone said: "Together as partners, a space that everyone can enjoy has been created that I hope will discourage further anti-social behaviour in the future."

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