A grotty and “smelly” town subway has been given a much-needed facelift with a colourful new mural.
The walkway under Faversham station has long been plagued by litter, graffiti and flooding, prompting numerous complaints.
But rather than just a lick of paint, it has now been transformed with a deep clean and artwork inspired by ideas from pupils from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School and Faversham Society members.
The project has been made possible following a campaign by Faversham MP Helen Whately who has been besieged with complaints, leading to discussions with Network Rail.
She asked the company to clean it numerous times in recent years but, last year, proposed a wider restoration.
Together with representatives from West Faversham Community Centre, Faversham Town Council and the Faversham Society, a bid was submitted and, in March, they learned it was successful.
The £5,000 funding has come from the Southern Green Fund – a money pot for initiatives which benefit the environment and local communities.
The mural is the work of Kent artist Graham Upton and features both the town’s heritage, including the Creek and hop picking as well as local landmarks.
Town mayor Josh Rowlands says it looks “amazing”.
“The underpass has really been a long-running eyesore so to see it looking so good is fabulous,” he said.
“It really has been a team effort and we now just hope that everyone respects it and it doesn’t suffer from graffiti.
“We also need to ensure the underpass is regularly cleaned so it doesn’t smell, which has been a problem.”
Mrs Whately says the subway desperately needed some love and care.
“Our local team worked on a solution, and now the funding has resulted in a full clean-up and restoration.
“Faversham has the most rich and wonderful history, and this is the perfect canvas to celebrate it.”
Chair of the Faversham Society Harold Goodwin added: “The subway is an important route for people to walk into our town centre, and the long-term neglect of its upkeep has left it in an unacceptable state.
“We hope the outcome of this project improves the situation for the long term.”
The underpass mural is expected to be formally unveiled at a gathering of officials and supporters tomorrow (Friday).
