A NEW piece of artwork on a town underpass will pay tribute to a borough beauty spot.
Artist Andy Mills began work on the mural on the Beoley Road West underpass on Monday (October 13)
Entitled ‘Gateway to the Lake’ it features wildlife seen around the borough, Arrow Valley Lake and key landmarks in the background. Children from nearby St George’s First School helped influence the design.
It forms part of the latest round of Redditch Borough Council’s Roadway Arts Project and will see nine pieces of artwork created on underpasses and bus shelters around the town. It is being funded by Worcestershire County Council’s Choose How You Move project.
Work on the Hemmings Entry underpass, near Car Park 7 in the town centre, started on Wednesday (October 15) and will see artist Alex Godwin produce a modern twist on the history of Redditch, inspired by creative ideas from students at Trinity High School.
Birmingham Road and Union Street underpasses will receive a makeover later in the year with bus shelters in Church Hill and Winyates also included in the programme.
All of the underpass artwork will be coated in a special covering meaning graffiti can be removed easily without causing damage.
Residents are welcome to watch the artists in action.
Since the Roadway Arts project started in 2007 there has been a drop in anti-social behaviour and vandalism in areas where it has been rolled out.
The project won praise from a government minister and has been copied by other councils across the country including in Blackburn, Lancashire.
Coun Yvonne Smith, responsible for community safety on the council, said: “Residents can also be proud of where they live and know they and the local community have been a part of something which makes a difference and looks great.”
