THE final piece of the Pill’s Regeneration Project in Newport is now finished.

Over four years, around £6 million have been spent in the area to transform buildings, improve public areas and provide some spectacular art work.

As part of the programme, which has been led by Newport City Council with financial backing from the Welsh Government’s European Regional Development Fund, three new pieces of artwork have been installed in Pill.

The final one, on the corner of Commercial Road and George Street, was finished very recently.

The sculpture, Six Pillars of Wisdom, by Andrew Small, is a mixture of digital and industrial art.

A Newport council spokeswoman said: “The programme has successfully achieved its objective to deliver regeneration in Pill through environmental improvements, a business grants scheme and the creation of a community resource centre.

“Three new pieces of art work, commissioned as part of the Pill Regeneration Project, which was externally funded, have made their mark and will leave a lasting positive legacy on the area.”

For the second piece, Newport artist Stephanie Roberts worked with fellow artist Nick Jones to create ‘With Passing Ships’ in Old Town Dock, near Blaina Wharf.

Ms Roberts, who also helped to create the mosaic celebrating the centenary of South Lock in the city’s historic docks, sourced materials from local businesses for this piece.

In the piece, three four-metre high sails reflect Pill from its origins. The work incorporates stories, photographs and facts about Pill.

A third piece by Martin Heron has also been installed on Commercial Road, at the end of Frederick Street.

Made of multi-colour resin, the artwork includes benches and a sculptural tree and was created following public consultation.

A Newport council spokeswoman said: “It was important to local people that it reflected the history and heritage of the area so the branches of the tree have steps with figures of people walking up, as a reminder of a bridge over the railway tracks that once stood at the location.”

The project team also worked with design company, Living Data, to develop a web app to tell people more about this art work and the history of Pill, featuring oral history recordings made with local people.