Years of graffiti tagging at a fly-tipping hotspot in Rodbourne is being covered up thanks to the collective efforts of local people and a group of artists. 

Resident Helen Salter's brainchild The Redcliffe Collective is aiming to brighten up the area to encourage people to have more pride in where they live.

Their first project, on the side of a tailoring business in Redcliffe Street, features street art as part of a mural inspired by Rodbourne's heritage. 

Swindon Advertiser: Steve Light (Slart), Cello Assini (Cello) and Helen SalterSteve Light (Slart), Cello Assini (Cello) and Helen Salter Helen explained: “After first having the idea back in 2016 and speaking to people, it really got going as a concept over the lockdown, when people were spending more time at home and we realised what we could make of the area.

"It is so great to see the artists bringing their ideas to life and covering up what was a drab wall of tags. We have been getting people offering more wall space to the group as they get behind the idea!”

A number of local artists have got involved including Cello, Slart, Jaksta, Gem Vero, Adam Crosland, Jaksta, Inca the Mole, Carly Byrne, Caryn Koh, Knots and Not Knots and Harrie Dearing. 

Swindon Advertiser: The before and after shots of the wallThe before and after shots of the wall Their work includes a painting of the restored locomotive Swordfish 2138 found at the Swindon and Cricklade heritage railway.

There's also a mural featuring some landmark buildings in the area, a tribute to Edith New, a leading suffragette activist born in Swindon in 1877, and a reflection on Swindon’s Victorian terraced streets, among others. 

Local councillor Jim Robbins has been supporting the group. “It is brilliant to see local people transforming our local area like this," he said.

"There has been an increase in tagging recently, and it is amazing to see some high-quality street art taking its place."

Swindon Advertiser: Work in progressWork in progress

The collective has been given permission to transform one of the Network Rail bridges over Rodbourne Road and is also working on the logistics, to decorate the BT OpenReach street furniture if permission can be sought

It plans to work with the Heritage Action Zone around the Railway Village and the old railway works to help transform the area.  

It also wants to work with Even Swindon Primary School to get the pupils involved.

Swindon Advertiser: The street art muralThe street art mural Members are keen to hear from local people who want to get involved, offer wall space to the group and suggest other ways to make Rodbourne a more exciting community.

To support the project visit their GoFundMe page - http://rodbournestreetart.com/