FOOTPATHS and cut-throughs beset by anti-social behaviour have been transformed by vibrant street art as part of a project to revamp the area.

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

The follies have long suffered from issues such as flytipping and anti-social behaviour.

Ms Rippingale said: “I started to get a view that Kendall Folley was not a very nice place, and in November 2021 started to think about how to proactively reduce crime.

“It began because someone had driven into a wall at School House, the wall was knocked down completely and took 18 months to get rebuilt.

“In that time a plant had grown in the middle of fencing, sparking an idea about turning some of our urban follies into urban gardens.”

READ MORE: Drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour blighting New Town

The scheme soon took on the idea of including street art, with Simon Collins enlisted to paint the walls of the folley.

Permissions were obtained from the owners of various sections, with the project extended to Camp Folley North last year.

Gazette: Murals breathe fresh life into the New Town area of ColchesterMurals breathe fresh life into the New Town area of Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

“It did lead to a massive reduction in anti-social behaviour,” said Ms Rippingale.

“We want to extend the project to all follies in New Town.”

The group is working with 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.

Adrian Leroy, 39, is one of the street artists behind the transformation of Kendall Folley.

Gazette: A coral reef mural painted as part of the Reclaim the Folleys projectA coral reef mural painted as part of the Reclaim the Folleys project (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “Painting is a passion for us, and it makes the area much more inviting.

“Our work so far spans about 250 yards along the alleyway.

“The main thing is people seem to love it, everyone keeps commenting when we’re painting – people who walk by tell you it’s great, they love it and thank you for doing it.”

Mr Leroy said a typical mural could take between five and six hours to paint, with a recent coral reef artwork completed over five separate four-hour sessions.

Gazette: Adrian’s children, aged five and eight, have helped him with the projectAdrian’s children, aged five and eight, have helped him with the project (Image: Newsquest)

“It’s our passion," he said. We like painting, we like street art, some people paint acrylics at home, we love painting in these public spaces.

“It would be great if there was more funding for us to do it, hopefully something will be forthcoming.

“Now we are a city, I’m hoping the council will be more open to street art.”

Adrian has even enlisted the help of his son, aged five, and daughter, eight, after they voiced an interest in helping to craft the art works.

For work on murals or other street art, contact Adrian on Instagram @leroymurals and via email at leroymurals@hotmail.com.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here. You can also sign up to our court and crime newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on gazette.newsdesk@newsquest.com.