West Swindon Parish Council has positioned the latest boards along the Mannington to Blagrove footpath, between the Roundway Down and Bodiam Drive subways. Artists are being encouraged to use the space to create and share their work.
The move follows positive feedback after the first boards were introduced at Rivermead. They quickly became a popular and well-used spot for local artists and young people looking for a legal place to paint.
The approach is designed to offer an alternative to unauthorised graffiti across the town. Instead of focusing solely on removal, it aims to redirect creativity into approved spaces.
Graffiti remains a persistent issue in Swindon, affecting subways, alleyways, car parks and public buildings. Swindon Borough Council currently removes graffiti from publicly owned property, with offensive material prioritised once reported.
Examples of the boards at Rivermead Skate Park:
In previous reports, West Swindon Parish Council noted that permitted graffiti areas can enhance the urban environment while guiding artists away from unauthorised locations. The authority also explored the idea of creating several boards to establish a wider street art trail rather than relying on a single site.
Cllr Nandini Singh said:
“I am so pleased to see this and with the incredible creative talent we have in West Swindon it’s a place they can call their own. It’s for them and them only.”
For the artwork boards , The West Swindon Parish team deserves full credit for putting up these boards. The suggestions from the West Swindon Parish Councillors have made this possible.
The expansion from Rivermead to Mannington suggests the concept is gaining traction locally.
Legal boards are not expected to eliminate all graffiti. Some tagging is linked to vandalism rather than artistic expression, and certain locations may still be targeted.
If the new boards prove successful, there may be calls to consider additional legal walls in other parts of Swindon. Linking skate parks, youth areas and suitable public walls could form part of a broader strategy.
