The Underpass was the most complained about ‘grot-spot’ in Herne Hill. Years of relationship building with the site owners (Network and Southeastern Rail) and the local council (Lambeth) resulted in its successful redevelopment in 2018/9.
To complete the project, the Forum won an Aviva Community Fund award which allowed us to decorate the tunnel, install notice boards and art frames and cover a forty metre wall with a World Record breaking colour-by-numbers mural completed by 2,332 locals.
What we did
This was a long and complicated project. Over a period of five years, we:
- Convinced Lambeth Council that the project was worthwhile and to fund the majority of the works
- Got consent and support from Southeastern and Network Rail
- Secured further funding via the Aviva Community Fund
- Project managed all the redevelopment works
- Engaged the community and local schools
- Recruited volunteers from both stakeholders and the community
- Arranged a twelve hour ‘Mural Day’ for folk to colour individual sections of the Mural
- Arranged bespoke painting sessions to include those unable to participate on the day
This project exemplifies some of the Forum’s key objectives:
- A significant improvement to our neighbourhood
- Achieved via the participation by a wide range of locals, so fostering community spirit
- Producing a lasting benefit for the future
Local film maker Sue Carpenter made a lovely film about the project.
And you can see an interactive version of the mural online.
I regularly use this underpass – what was once a very unattractive space, will now be transformed. It’s great that this space can be celebrated and has been decorated especially by the children.
Mark Rylance, Actor
Details
- Date of completion2019
- Budget£55,000
- Funding SourceLambeth Council £30,000 & Aviva Community Fund £25,000
- ParticipantsNetwork Rail, Southeastern Rail, Lambeth Council
- Project TeamLucy Reynolds, Giles Gibson, Alison Gibbs, Charlotte Ashworth, Jasia Warren, Rosie Zach, George Hornby