Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Black Bridge - Further information
The Council has issued the following press release concerning the work recently carried out on the Black Bridge.
Black Bridge Now Showing In Technicolour.
Young people from Eastmoors Community Centre are helping to transform Cardiff's Black Bridge by designing and painting a mural of many colours to improve the condition of the key local landmark which links the communities of Adamsdown and Splott.
The art project has been co-ordinated by Cardiff Council with the assistance of council youth workers and support from the Princes Trust. Funding has been provided through the Council's Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme programme.Cardiff artists Bradley Woods and Andrew Hartford have been working with the group of young people for several weeks to design, scope and produce the mural, which the Council hopes will help combat continuing problems with graffiti and anti-social behaviour on the bridge.
Bradley (29) a self-taught artist who grew up in Splott and has been working with schools and youth groups in Cardiff and throughout England and Wales for several years, said: "Too often young people get a rap for their exploits, but this project shows the true extent of their potential if they are given the chance to use it."
"We have been working on the design and preparation of this commission for several weeks and have followed the same process I would for any professional job. The kids have been totally enthusiastic and we have been running to catch up with them at times.
"Members of the youth club at Eastmoors have been instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. After consultation with ward members and young people in the area the Black Bridge was identified as a potential location for an art project last year and Liz Dutton a youth worker for Splott, Adamsdown and Tremorfa has been working with neighbourhood planners, her contacts in the community and the Princes Trust to bring the project forward.
"This has been a great experience for everyone," she said. "And the project has done wonders for the self-confidence of the young people involved, who have benefited immensely by being part of the whole process from start to finish. They have had the satisfaction not only of seeing their ideas taken on board but of showing the community what they are capable of.
"The Princes Trust has also supported the project through their development officer Sobia Iqbal, who is employed by the Trust under the Communities First Initiative to work with young people aged 14 to 25 in Splott.Working with Liz, Sobia, Bradley and Andrew, the young people, who all attend the Eastmoors Youth Club, decided on a welcome theme for one side of the bridge, depicting the Splott community, and on the other side an "express yourself positively" mural which shows different characters all expressing themselves positively through activities such as basketball and DJ'ing.
Hannah Kirkland, Senior Strategic Planning Officer for Cardiff Council said the authority was delighted at the success of the project and the young people's enthusiasm. "This is what neighbourhood renewal schemes are all about - a partnership with the community, for the benefit of the community."
"Graffiti has been an ongoing problem on the Black Bridge, but this is an excellent example of young people taking direct ownership of an issue to help make their community a better place. I'm really impressed at their efforts and I think locals will be too when they see the results.
"The Black Bridge Project was given funding last year to undertake environmental improvements to the bridge including replacing the parapet fencing, repaving access ramps, installing new street lighting, litterbins and motorcycle barriers. Further funding has been made available this year to complete the work and address ongoing issues of graffiti and community safety. CCTV is also to be introduced on the bridge.
Cardiff Council runs the annual Neighbourhood Renewal Schemes programme to help implement local regeneration schemes across the city. If you would like to know more about the programme, please contact Neighbourhood Planning, Cardiff Council, County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, CF10 4UW. Ph (029) 2087 3263
Black Bridge Now Showing In Technicolour.
Young people from Eastmoors Community Centre are helping to transform Cardiff's Black Bridge by designing and painting a mural of many colours to improve the condition of the key local landmark which links the communities of Adamsdown and Splott.
The art project has been co-ordinated by Cardiff Council with the assistance of council youth workers and support from the Princes Trust. Funding has been provided through the Council's Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme programme.Cardiff artists Bradley Woods and Andrew Hartford have been working with the group of young people for several weeks to design, scope and produce the mural, which the Council hopes will help combat continuing problems with graffiti and anti-social behaviour on the bridge.
Bradley (29) a self-taught artist who grew up in Splott and has been working with schools and youth groups in Cardiff and throughout England and Wales for several years, said: "Too often young people get a rap for their exploits, but this project shows the true extent of their potential if they are given the chance to use it."
"We have been working on the design and preparation of this commission for several weeks and have followed the same process I would for any professional job. The kids have been totally enthusiastic and we have been running to catch up with them at times.
"Members of the youth club at Eastmoors have been instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. After consultation with ward members and young people in the area the Black Bridge was identified as a potential location for an art project last year and Liz Dutton a youth worker for Splott, Adamsdown and Tremorfa has been working with neighbourhood planners, her contacts in the community and the Princes Trust to bring the project forward.
"This has been a great experience for everyone," she said. "And the project has done wonders for the self-confidence of the young people involved, who have benefited immensely by being part of the whole process from start to finish. They have had the satisfaction not only of seeing their ideas taken on board but of showing the community what they are capable of.
"The Princes Trust has also supported the project through their development officer Sobia Iqbal, who is employed by the Trust under the Communities First Initiative to work with young people aged 14 to 25 in Splott.Working with Liz, Sobia, Bradley and Andrew, the young people, who all attend the Eastmoors Youth Club, decided on a welcome theme for one side of the bridge, depicting the Splott community, and on the other side an "express yourself positively" mural which shows different characters all expressing themselves positively through activities such as basketball and DJ'ing.
Hannah Kirkland, Senior Strategic Planning Officer for Cardiff Council said the authority was delighted at the success of the project and the young people's enthusiasm. "This is what neighbourhood renewal schemes are all about - a partnership with the community, for the benefit of the community."
"Graffiti has been an ongoing problem on the Black Bridge, but this is an excellent example of young people taking direct ownership of an issue to help make their community a better place. I'm really impressed at their efforts and I think locals will be too when they see the results.
"The Black Bridge Project was given funding last year to undertake environmental improvements to the bridge including replacing the parapet fencing, repaving access ramps, installing new street lighting, litterbins and motorcycle barriers. Further funding has been made available this year to complete the work and address ongoing issues of graffiti and community safety. CCTV is also to be introduced on the bridge.
Cardiff Council runs the annual Neighbourhood Renewal Schemes programme to help implement local regeneration schemes across the city. If you would like to know more about the programme, please contact Neighbourhood Planning, Cardiff Council, County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, CF10 4UW. Ph (029) 2087 3263
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Black Bridge Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme
The Black Bridge Project was allocated funding last year to undertake some environmental improvements to the bridge, and further funding is available this year to complete the works.
Environmental enhancement works carried out last year included replacing the parapet fencing, repaving the access ramps, repairing and repainting the fencing, installing new street lighting, litter bins and motorcycle barriers (currently waiting to be installed).
Although the above works have improved the environment of the bridge, there are still issues to be addressed:
Graffiti - Since the installation of the solid parapet fencing over the railway lines, there have been problems with graffiti.
Community Safety - Visibility of pedestrians on the bridge has improved however the solid panels have resulted in restricted surveillance. Although enhancements have taken place to improve pedestrians' perception of the bridge, many users still have a fear of crime on the bridge.There are still issues with youths congregating on the bridge.
It is proposed that the project will be delivered in two parts:
1. Installation of CCTV cameras
2. Community mural on the fencing. A group of young people in the area will be working with the Princes Trust, Youth Services and a local community artist to produce a mural on the solid panels on the bridge. A copy of the art work will be on display at Eastmoors Community Centre, the Star Centre and Splott Swimming Pool the week commencing 2nd August if you wish to see it prior to implementation on the bridge. The art work will be taking place Friday 13th August, 10am - 4pm. The bridge will be closed to access at these times.
If you wish to discuss the project further, please contact Neighbourhood Planning, Cardiff County Council, County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, CF10 4UW. Tel: 029 20 873 263
Environmental enhancement works carried out last year included replacing the parapet fencing, repaving the access ramps, repairing and repainting the fencing, installing new street lighting, litter bins and motorcycle barriers (currently waiting to be installed).
Although the above works have improved the environment of the bridge, there are still issues to be addressed:
Graffiti - Since the installation of the solid parapet fencing over the railway lines, there have been problems with graffiti.
Community Safety - Visibility of pedestrians on the bridge has improved however the solid panels have resulted in restricted surveillance. Although enhancements have taken place to improve pedestrians' perception of the bridge, many users still have a fear of crime on the bridge.There are still issues with youths congregating on the bridge.
It is proposed that the project will be delivered in two parts:
1. Installation of CCTV cameras
2. Community mural on the fencing. A group of young people in the area will be working with the Princes Trust, Youth Services and a local community artist to produce a mural on the solid panels on the bridge. A copy of the art work will be on display at Eastmoors Community Centre, the Star Centre and Splott Swimming Pool the week commencing 2nd August if you wish to see it prior to implementation on the bridge. The art work will be taking place Friday 13th August, 10am - 4pm. The bridge will be closed to access at these times.
If you wish to discuss the project further, please contact Neighbourhood Planning, Cardiff County Council, County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, CF10 4UW. Tel: 029 20 873 263
