A problem underpass in Ynysawdre which has been blighted by graffiti for years has been transformed by local youngsters into a blaze of colourful pictures.
In a partnership approach involving the local Neighbourhood Police Team, the moving forward project, youth service and community volunteers teams of youngsters have painted a summer scene of hills, trees, butterflies and flowers in the pedestrian tunnel that runs between Heol yr Ysgol and Bryn Road in Ynysawdre.
Called Operation Gomez, the initiative was devised to remove the unsightly graffiti that has been created upon the tunnel and paint over it with summer theme.
PCSOs Janine Ireland and Chris Bowen teamed up with Youth Project Worker Georgina Bunch to secure the support of local stores including B&Q and Homebase which supplied paint and materials to give the tunnel the facelift.
PCSO Ireland said: “The tunnel has been dogged by graffiti over many years and after moved to the Ynysawdre ward a few weeks ago I had a chance meeting with Georgina Bunch from the Moving Forward Project at Ynysawdre school youth club.
“We spoke about the tunnel on Bryn Road and the problem of graffiti. Paint had been donated to Ynysawdre youth club for community projects by B&Q and we contacted Homebase in Bridgend who donated painting equipment.
“We also had to obtain the support of the Community Council which gave us more brushes and marker pens as well as permission to paint the tunnel.
“Much of the hard work and enthusiasm has come from Georgina Bunch and the young parents who attend the Moving Forward Project. During the course of painting the subway we invited many members of the community to add their hand prints to the tunnel as they passed through. Ynysawdre’s BCBC youth summer scheme also brought youths to add their hand prints to the tunnel and local PC Mathew Tatchell popped by to paint on a bumble bee.
“It has been amazing working on this multi agency approach and each person who walked through the tunnel told us of their appreciation of the art on the walls and how it has brightened the passage. The council have also installed lighting at the tunnel this week.”
