A campaign to help tackle fly-tipping is turning heads in Thornton Heath in an effort to keep streets clear.
Artistic stencils have been applied to the pavement around signposts and lampposts in the area to deter would-be fly-tippers.
The designs, inspired by the community’s unique character, are coated with reflective paint so they can be seen at night.
The stencilled designs reflect the community and have been installed at five sites around Thornton Heath.
The project is funded by the People’s Health Trust as part of Thornton Heath Community Action Team’s Street Action Project.
Gaetane Jones, the project coordinator, said: “The Street Action Project has been running for over a year and all the hard work is finally bearing fruit.
“Next July and August, two new murals will be displayed in Brook Road and Quadrant Road with five new lamp post planters set to be installed in Melfort Road.
“For our Year 2 Street Action Project, 10 more streets are going to join this exciting venture which will see Thornton Heath become cleaner and greener.
“The People’s Health Trust is helping us to not just turn heads but also turn hearts.”
The design was created by Samantha Warren, a Thornton Heath resident and print designer whose work is available in the Royal Academy of Art.
She said: “This is a first for me. I have printed on many other surfaces; wallpaper, fabric, metal, plastic but not pavement before.
“I knew the idea had to be attractive and immediately thought of something pretty and circular to fit around a lamp post, something like a lace doily.
“This idea developed as I wanted to make the design personal to Thornton Heath and incorporate cultural references.
“I used motifs representing the CR7 post code, Crystal Palace, the great local musical talents, the grocery stores, the temples, the clock tower and the legendary white squirrel from Grangewood Park to represent the community.”
Visit the Thornton Heath Community Action Team’s website for more information on the group or the Don’t Mess With Croydon webpage to find out what you can do to help in your community.
“Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and ruins valuable community spaces.
“Thornton Heath has rallied together to try and tackle the problem with a novel and eye-catching solution.
“We will continue to support our communities to tackle the problems that matter the most to them.”
Councillor Stuart Collins, deputy leader – Clean Green Croydon
