ART and vegetables have transformed footpaths hit by anti-social behaviour, graffiti, and flytipping.

For more than a year councillors and activists have been working hard to transform New Town’s folleys.

Reclaim the Folleys, a group started by New Town and Christ Church councillor Kayleigh Rippingale, has seen volunteer work undertaken to smarten up Kendall Folley and Camp Folley North, New Town, Colchester.

Artists have adorned the walls with artwork and planters filled with fresh vegetables, but flytipping remains a prevalent issue.

Gazette: Much better - Campaigner Charlie Jasper and Colchester councillor Kayleigh Rippingale cleaned up Kendall Folley with New Town residentsMuch better - Campaigner Charlie Jasper and Colchester councillor Kayleigh Rippingale cleaned up Kendall Folley with New Town residents (Image: Lee Scordis)

Frustrated residents are determined to maintain the fresh look of the cut-throughs, with a recent exercise gathering 16 bags of rubbish – mostly from flytipped black bags.

The ward councillor is working hand-in-hand with county councillor Lee Scordis to eradicate the issue.

Mr Scordis said the group will continue doing its best to transform the area but admitted “it is always a bit of a blow when you see people ignore the fantastic work that has already been done”.

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He added: “We always knew we were up against significant and consistent behavioural issues.

Gazette: Rubbish - Lee Scordis and Kayleigh Rippingale collected 16 bags of rubbishRubbish - Lee Scordis and Kayleigh Rippingale collected 16 bags of rubbish (Image: Lee Scordis)

“That is why we have used our locality budgets to purchase a mobile CCTV camera, which will allow the council to catch the perpetrators and impose heavy sanctions.”

Ms Rippingale thanked police officers for being “really helpful and co-operative” in dealing with the anti-social behaviour issues.

She said: “We hope this mobile CCTV can help us stop the flytipping and help the police monitor any crime in the area.

“Despite the setbacks I am incredibly proud of the work we have done here and is clear that the graffiti on the walls has already stopped due to the street art.

Gazette: Artists - Adrian Leroy and Simon Collins have given up their time and money to paint the follies of New Town, ColchesterArtists - Adrian Leroy and Simon Collins have given up their time and money to paint the follies of New Town, Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

“We will be back out in Kendall Folley on Sunday, June 4, and we are hoping to do this on the first Sunday of every month. Anyone is welcome to come along and help.”

The group aims to extend the project to all folleys in New Town and is working with the charity Greenpath Ventures to extend urban gardens and keep them maintained, with the scheme likely to be rolled out at Colchester Night Shelter and Shrub End.