A notorious underpass which was featured in a movie starring Michael Caine has been spruced up with the help of pupils and is now part of an award-winning community walking scheme.

Children from Mark’s Gate Primary helped to set up a mile-long walking route between Rose Lane and Chadwell Heath High Road – the Mark’s Gate Fitter For Walking scheme – which includes the A12 underpass featured in the film Harry Brown.

Residents’ groups have been campaigning for several years to improve the route after a spate of muggings and antisocial behaviour blighted the area two years ago.

Improved signs and surfacing, less street clutter, new dropped kerbs and hand rails have helped make the route friendlier and safer for pedestrians.

Schoolchildren from Mark’s Gate Primary School worked with the local church group and artist Amy Plant to design a colourful map of the route which has been put up near the northern entrance to the subway as part of National Walking Month.

Cllr Gerald Vincent, cabinet member for highways, said: “If we can increase the number of children who walk to school we can reduce traffic, save parents’ petrol money and most importantly of all, make children healthier.

“The children of Mark’s Gate Primary deserve special praise for helping to design their excellent map.”