Riverside - Mural message is let there be light

Runcorn people aged eight to 80 had a say on a street art display based on the theme of keeping neighbourhoods safe.

Social landlord Riverside is working with Halton Neighbourhood Management team to deliver a £23,500 community safety project in Palace Fields.

The Stronger Safer Communities Fund provided £20,000 towards the project through Halton Neighbourhood Management and Riverside added £3,500, taking responsibility for delivering it. The completion of the street art mural is the first stage of works that include landscaping, alleygates, improved lighting and pathways.

The local neighbourhood forum, with members aged 30 to 80, worked with artist Todd Wood from Nugent Education to develop the mural, located at a thoroughfare to Halton hospital at the Knoll. A local youth club also contributed to ideas for the artwork.

Lorna Hughes is community engagement officer for Riverside. Lorna said: “People really like the mural. It’s a great start to improvements planned for the area. The theme of bringing light into a space is in line with our plan to increase public lighting.”

Seventy three year-old Doreen Kane helped to develop the artwork storyboard. The Riverside tenant is delighted with the results. She said: “Although we didn’t actually paint the mural it feels like our work because we had a lot of input into the design and theme. It certainly brightens the place up.”

The next phase of the project is set to start soon - Riverside will be fitting alleygates behind flats in the area, securing spaces to reduce fly tipping and anti social behaviour.