Community effort restores Ashby Road underpass
A long-neglected pedestrian underpass in Daventry has been given a striking new look after a collaboration between a prominent street artist, local students and public bodies. The Ashby Road subway, first painted around 30 years ago and now badly worn, has been transformed into a colourful gallery-style corridor intended to lift neighbourhood pride and deter anti-social behaviour.
The project brought together anonymous artist Binty Bint and Year 10 pupils from Parker E-ACT Academy, with support from their teacher Donna Thacker. Ahead of the painting, offenders working through the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Immediate Justice scheme cleared vegetation, removed debris and primed the walls under supervision. West Northamptonshire Council said the aim was to create a safer, more welcoming route for pedestrians while showcasing local creativity.
Students take the lead, artist shares techniques
Pupils designed individual pieces around the idea of artworks displayed in a gallery, before Binty added her own contributions and offered professional tips and techniques along the way. According to the council, the result is a brighter environment with a coherent visual theme that reflects the town’s young talent and community spirit.
“This project is about much more than creating a mural,” said Cllr Nigel Stansfield, cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste. “It’s about bringing partners together, engaging young people in a positive activity and creating a space that the whole community can be proud of. When young people help design and create public artwork, they develop a sense of ownership over that space. In turn, people are more likely to respect it and look after it.”
The initiative was jointly led by the council and Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone. She described the scheme as a partnership effort to create a public place that people of all ages can enjoy, with the intention that visible improvements and local ownership will discourage nuisance behaviour over time.
From deterioration to a welcoming route
The council said the subway had deteriorated significantly since its last repainting, leaving a route that many found uninviting. By coupling restorative works with a public art approach, partners hope the underpass will now feel safer and better used. The approach is in line with widely used urban design principles which suggest that cared-for and distinctive public spaces can help reduce vandalism and littering.
While the mural itself is the most visible change, the preparatory work carried out through Immediate Justice – cutting back overgrowth, clearing debris and applying a fresh white base coat – has also improved sightlines and the general feel of the space. The sequence of works underscores the project’s focus on practical improvements alongside creative expression.
Who did what
| Partner | Role in project |
|---|---|
| West Northamptonshire Council | Co-ordinated initiative; set aims to boost pride and reduce anti-social behaviour |
| PFCC (Danielle Stone) | Joint lead; linked Immediate Justice scheme to site preparation |
| Immediate Justice participants | Cleared vegetation, removed debris, primed walls |
| Parker E-ACT Academy (Year 10) | Designed and painted gallery-themed pieces with teacher support |
| Binty Bint | Contributed designs; provided guidance and techniques |
Local impact and what residents can expect
The refreshed underpass provides a more inviting link for people moving between neighbourhoods off Ashby Road and nearby amenities. For parents and pupils at Parker E-ACT Academy, the site now doubles as a public showcase of student work. For the wider community, the council hopes the visible investment will reinforce care for the space and reduce incidents of graffiti tags, littering and other nuisance activity.
- Improved visibility and tidiness from vegetation clearance and cleaning
- Distinctive artwork intended to prompt community pride and respect
- Direct involvement of young people to strengthen local ownership
Future upkeep will be important to preserve the impact of the work. Although no specific maintenance schedule has been announced, the combination of a clean substrate, collaborative authorship and civic backing suggests the site is better placed to withstand everyday wear and tear than before.
As with similar projects, ongoing success is likely to depend on regular use, prompt reporting of any damage and continued engagement with nearby schools and community groups. For now, the Ashby Road subway stands as a local example of what can be achieved when justice programmes, education and the arts converge on a shared goal of improving public space.
