An article about Mossbank Graffiti Art Mural at Moss Bank Subway under the East Lancashire Road.

------------------

The St Helens Star Article said:

BACK in 2002 your St Helens Star called it the Subway from Hell And stretching back beyond that we reported on earlier attempts to transform the tunnel which had been the haunt of drug users and gangs.

For years many residents have avoided using the subway which runs beneath a perilous stretch of the East Lancashire Road linking Rydal Grove, Haresfinch, and Buttermere Avenue, Clinkham Wood.

Safety campaigners reckon the blackspot stretch of road has claimed the lives of several pedestrians because the public fear using the subway.

But now the crossing has been boosted by a bright new makeover.

Moss Bank residents are again being urged to use the subway after community artist Jane Forster worked with young people during the summer holidays to create a piece of mural artwork at the bad behaviour hotspot.

Officers from the council’s Safer Communities Team got together with local groups and residents to form Moss Bank Safer Communities Group who worked with partners including; Helena Partnerships, Merseyside police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service to complete the project.

The makeover was the first of 10 projects addressing various aspects of anti social behaviour to be completed after St Helens council was awarded a £12,000 grant from the Department of Communities and Local Government to support the new government initiative, Anti Social Behaviour Resident Champions.

Residents identified the subway area as a prime spot to be improved.

The idea was to create a sense of ownership by the young people and also to decrease levels of graffiti and vandalism, making the subway a safer and more welcoming area that people will be encouraged to use, rather than crossing the busy dual carriageway.

Community artist Jane who worked on the project said: “It was a pleasure to brighten up the space for the community and working with the youth service was great.”