Students from Ysgol Aberconwy have worked with a local artist to transform the shelter at Conwy Railway Station into a piece of art, highlighting a very important rail safety message.
The project, funded by the Conwy Valley and North West Wales Community Rail Partnership and in partnership with Transport for Wales and British Transport Police, aims to try to reduce trespass and anti-social behaviour at railway stations.
British Transport Police Wales engaged with pupils in the school, and PCSO Suzanne Hall visited the school to explain the project and to discuss the dangers of trespassing on the railway to students.
After being shown how to create graffiti style lettering and designs by Andy Birch (Dime One North Wales Graffiti Art Murals), the students then worked together to create a design for the mural.
The vibrant, striking mural was spray painted in the shelter at Conwy Railway Station by Andy and the students, with art and design teacher Mrs Russell and PCSO Suzanne Hall also having a turn with the spray paint.
Karen Williams, Community Rail Officer for the Conwy Valley and North West Wales Coat Line CRP (at the time of the planning of the project, no longer in post), said: “Following reports of trespassing at Conwy, I was approached by station manager Andy Baker to identify an opportunity to work with pupils from Ysgol Aberconwy, following the huge success of previous art projects at other local stations with other secondary school pupils.
“Collaborating with Dime One also meant we could make this a huge effort with maximum impact to get across a hugely important safety message. The finished design looks fantastic, and definitely gets the message across. A huge thank you from me to all involved on another great example of collaborative working.”
Headteacher Mr Gerrard said: “Congratulations to everyone involved and thank you for all your hard work. As a school we were delighted to be asked to participate in this important initiative that could help to save lives.”
Andy Baker, Transport for Wales Station Manager (North West Wales), said: “It’s important to engage with young people in a way that they understand. This project was a wonderful way of engaging with the pupils from Ysgol Aberconwy and getting over the importance of safety around railways.
“I was so impressed with the pupils from Ysgol Aberconwy, their engagement and how they had thought about the safety subject. They were polite and pleasant, and a credit to their parents and the school. It is a fabulous piece of art.”
