Washington Road

Emsworth has only two routes joining its southern and northern areas.  One, the path through the A27 underpass from Washington Road to the Recreation Ground is heavily used by parents and children wishing to reach St James Primary School or Emsworth Primary School.  It is also a safe alternative for cyclists who are not prepared to use North Street, with its heavy traffic and dangerous railway bridge.  For many years, the subway has flooded and remained flooded after heavy rain.  The walls were heavily graffitied and the fluorescent lights gradually failed until only two remained.

Together with ward councillors Grainne Rason and Richard Kennett, and Lulu Bowerman in her role as a county councillor, the ERF worked to raise the ‘profile’ of this crucial local link, and action finally resulted in 2024.

Work on the drainage required Cllr Bowerman to liaise with Havant Borough Council, Hampshire Highways and National Highways, who own the underpass.

Cllr Bowerman also managed to persuade National Highways to replace the lights (now LED tubes) , and provided funding from her county council grant for a street art project, run by Lucy Lawrence with Berk and Fark from The Corner Collective based in Southsea, which has decorated the subway walls.

Matt Simmons from the charity Bridge to Unity arranged for volunteers to paint the undercoat, after firefighters from Emsworth Fire Station had cleaned the walls and floor.

Lucy ran a street art workshop at one of ERF’s Young People days, and designs were judged by the Mayor of Havant. The competition winners were able to paint a small square of the underpass.