Ex-offenders, young offenders and schools around Chelmsford united to repair, refurbish and redesign the city’s underpasses as part of a Neighbourhood Improvement and Community Engagement programme.

Chelmsford City Council is working in Partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner to improve several underpasses in Chelmsford as part of the NICE (Neighbourhood Improvement & Community Engagement) programme and a Community Safety initiative to reduce reoffending.

The project has involved support from ex-offenders and young offenders in the cleaning and repairing of each underpass in preparation for the implementation of artwork designed by local primary and secondary schools.

Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, Councillor Ian Grundy said, “We are very grateful to the ex-offenders and young offenders taking part in this campaign.

"By encouraging local residents to take ownership and pride in their local community whilst also learning new skills, it is anticipated that the project will lead to a reduced level of reoffending.”

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Lindsay Whitehouse said: “We’re delighted to be partners with Chelmsford City Council in such a worthwhile project which will improve the local environment and hopefully lead to less offending.

"Projects of this type have historically delivered an improved sense of community pride, and it’s great that pupils from local schools are directly involved.”

Schools in Chelmsford were invited to take part in a competition to design artwork for the underpass with the theme of ‘A cleaner and greener Chelmsford’.

The winning artwork was designed by a pupil from Springfield Primary School and the Council has selected local artist EyeSaw to interpret her design at the underpass in Scholars Walk.

Collingwood Primary School also contributed to this community project by taking part in a litter pick.

Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling Management, Councillor Janette Potter said, “Thank you to the pupils of Collingwood School who managed to collect 10 bags of litter and 2 tyres during the pick.

"If we all work together to help look after our community we can all benefit and enjoy living in a cleaner and improved environment.”

Pupils were given advice and information by the Council’s Public Health and Protection Officer about how important it was not to litter.

The next underpass to be redesigned is the Bringey in Sandon and Bell Meadow in Central Park in 2016.