Underpass Make-Over for Peterborough

Peterborough's underpasses are getting a make over by local teenagers starting this week with the one under Taveners Road in Millfield.

It's the first in a series of projects around the city centre and it's hoped to both encourage more teens to get into art, and also make them a lot nicer and safer for people to use at night.

Steve Crow is from Connexions Young People's Service who are behind the scheme and has been telling Heart, "There's a high crime rate around these underpasses, they are dark and the light in this one doesn't work. When we are finished, there is going to be the art, a new lick of paint on the roof and new lights so it's going to be a lot more appealing to walk under."

All the spots have been picked out by the council and police, while the design has been entirely designed by young people over the last few weeks.

Steve says that although seeing teens with spray cans may get you dialling the police normally, this really is becoming a serious form of art and they want to encourage that. "There are a few legal graffiti sites in the city although they tend to be used by older more experienced artists so it can be very intimidating for those just starting out. This kind of project gives them the skills and confidence to go and use those areas. We don't even call it graffiti as it's much more aerosol art."

"It's good for the community and it's good for youngsters who want to get into this kind of artwork - it's a fast growing medium, and a lot of artists are getting into it."

There is also still time for people to get involved.

Teenagers from around Millfield, Gladstone, and New England can call Connexions Young People's Service on 864 500 and leave their details.

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