Three Bridges Forum, adopters of Three Bridges Railway Station, have commissioned a colourful mural to brighten up the station’s underpass. The mural’s aim is to encourage the community to think about the journeys they’d like to make this year.
Inspired by ideas from local school students and to complement the mural painted on the Network Rail bridge outside the station, community artist Graham Upton was commissioned to create the new artwork. Funding for the project was provided by the Gatwick Community Fund to the Three Bridges Forum, who adopted the station in 2018. The station is located along the Arun Valley Line and supported by Southeast Communities Rail Partnership.
To create the new artwork, Graham transferred his designs onto an artboard, then photographed the designs before producing them onto adhesive film. With the help of GTR maintenance staff and support from the station partners, Graham applied the designs onto the wall at the far end of the underpass.
Brenda Burgess, Crawley Borough Councillor, said: “This project was a great opportunity to promote community art and to encourage local schools to participate. I am extremely grateful to those schools, as well as to Network Rail who encouraged the first mural on the bridge and GTR Southern Station Manager who made it possible to create the second colourful mural in the station itself.
“Graham proved to be an amazing artist incorporating many of the children’s ideas in the finished mural. The project brought so many people together, including the involvement of the local Forum, station staff and community rail officers. Let’s hope it opens up future opportunities to promote art in the community.”
Rowena Tyler, Community Rail Officer for the Arun Valley Line at Southeast Communities Rail Partnership, said: “This mural has been a long time in the planning, from securing funding and to installing the finished piece, with many a twist and turn on the way. It’s wonderful to see it installed, and I am grateful to everyone for their perseverance and willingness to make this happen.”
You can keep up to date with all future projects, news and events from the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership via their website.
