Problem Path Transformed

An anti-social behaviour blackspot in Caernarfon has recently been the subject of a colourful community-based initiative. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Pupils from Ysgol Maesincla and Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen took part in a Tidy Towns funded partnership project to create a mural on a wall running alongside a local path known as Llwybr y Plas. The path links housing estates on Llanberis Road with those in nearby Maesincla. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dyffryn Cadnant Partnership was formed in 2014 following concern that the area was being used for fly-tipping and subject to littering and graffiti. Work completed by the partnership over the past two years include joint litter-picks, trimming trees to improve lighting, installation of litter bins and also two Tidy Towns school projects to raise awareness of problems, such as littering and dog fouling. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Work to prepare for the mural began in spring when contractors re-plastered the wall, with children from Ysgol Maesincla then painting the wall with undercoat. Pupils following art-based subjects at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen were then involved in designing and painting the mural, which depicts modern and historic scenes of Caernarfon. The mural was finally protected with a special anti-graffiti coating. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Glyn Thomas, the local member for the Cadnant ward, said: “The Cadnant path and adjacent areas have had anti-social behaviour issues for some time now, which is a shame in such a beautiful part of Caernarfon. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It’s also sad that our youngest kids have to witness so much litter and graffiti on their route to school, so I’m very pleased that the various interested bodies have got together with local children to create something so colourful and uplifting.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor John Wynn Jones, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “The mural has given a new lease of life to an area plagued by anti-social behaviour. I am grateful to the partners for their contribution to the improvements, and I am extremely grateful to the staff and pupils from both schools involved. Users of the lane should now respect and enjoy this work of art, which symbolises local pride in Caernarfon and the desire to keep it clean and tidy.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Cadnant Valley Partnership is comprised of a number of local groups and bodies, including Caernarfon Town Council, Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd, Coed Cymru, Communities First, Church in Wales, Keep Wales Tidy, Maesincla Eye, National Probation Service, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, North Wales Police, Tidy Towns (Gwynedd Council), Ysgol Maesincla and Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Partnership wish to thank C L Jones Ltd and Travis Perkins Trading Co Ltd for donating equipment and paint. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

To report littering, dog fouling or suspected fly-tipping activity call 01766 771000 confidentially or e-mail streetenforcement@gwynedd.llyw or visit the Council’s website at www.gwynedd.llyw.cym ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Tidy Towns is sponsored by Welsh Government. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​