Makeover for Moss Bank subway

A subway which many local people avoided because of the fear of crime and anti social behaviour has been given a bright new makeover.

Now Moss Bank residents are using the subway, under the busy East Lancs Road, as the new look has given it a ‘good news’ boost.

Last year St. Helens Council was awarded a grant of £12,000 from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to support a new government Initiative - Anti Social Behaviour Resident Champions.

Officers from the council’s Safer Communities Team set about working with local groups and residents in the area forming the Moss Bank Safer Communities Group. The group recently won the Merseyside Police Authority Award for Best Community Project 2011.

Partners include the council, Helena Partnerships, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Park Farm Community Centre and ward councillors. The group developed a programme of 10 different projects to address various aspects of anti-social behaviour and the subway is one of the first to be completed.

A community artist was appointed to work with young people during the summer holidays to design and create a piece of mural artwork in the subway.  Residents identified that the area had perceptions of ASB and wanted to create a sense of ownership by the young people to decrease levels of graffiti and vandalism and to make the subway a more welcoming and safe area and to encourage residents to use the subway, rather than cross the extremely busy East Lancs Road. With help from the Community Payback Team and the artist, the young people have carried out all of the painting works.

Councillor Sue Murphy, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Safer Communities and Youth said:  “Feedback has been terrific with people commenting on the fact that the subway is so light and airy where they feel much safer.  Importantly people are using it more - rather than crossing the East Lancs Road.”

Community artist Jane added:  “All the pedestrians who used the subway during the mural painting were really friendly and very positive about the young peoples' design and hard work. It was a pleasure to brighten up the space for the community and working with the youth service was great.”

Cabinet Member for Environmental Protection Councillor Alison Bacon added: “Pedestrians now have a real – and safer – alternative to attempting to cross a busy dual carriageway. The young people involved with this project have a done a great job.”

Caption: Safe passage…Councillors, residents and staff from various agencies celebrate the completion of the subway project.