New murals unveiled at city rail station

Carys Nally
BBC News, Bristol
BBC The image shows an underpass at Bedminster train station, taken from the bottom to the top of the underpass where the station platform is. On the right side of the image, a man is spray painting the wall that is covered in different shades of green in a pattern. He wears a florescent jacket and a black hoodie covers his face. On the opposite wall, a pattern is painted in various shades of blue and orange. BBC
The murals have been painted on the ramps to the platform at Bedminster station

New murals celebrating "community and cultural transformation" have been unveiled at a city rail station.

Upfest and Severnside Community Rail Partnership partnered to create the artwork at Bedminster station in Bristol.

Local street artists Lucas Antics and Paul Roberts have been painting the murals on the station underpass this month, brightening the space for commuters.

Mr Antics, who has previously been an artist at the Upfest festival, said he wanted to emphasise the "spirit of togetherness" in the designs.

He added: "The underpass is a space that people use every day, so being able to brighten it up with a mural that reflects both the history and the future of this community is an incredible opportunity."

The murals, which includes local wildlife and familiar landmarks of the city, are part of a winder effort to brighten up the local environment in Bedminster following a public consultation.

Previous artwork at the station, which was created by the nearby Victoria Park Primary School, has been returned to be showcased on the school grounds.

Image shows the Bedminster station underpass mural, in pink and blue colours. Images of rabbits and bats cover the wall, with a sign for platforms 2 and 3 in the centre of the picture.
The murals focus on Bristol's wildlife and landmarks

Alex Hills, GWR Flagship Station Manager, said the rail operator was "delighted" to support the project.

He said: "The artwork by Lucas Antics and Paul has helped transform the underpass at Bedminster station and given it a striking uplift.

"I'd encourage people to take a trip down to the station to take a look for themselves."

Image shows the Bedminster station underpass from a different angle, with a path leading to platform one. The path stretching up to the platform has one green and one blue wall, with varying shades and patterns.
The artists said they wanted to "brighten up" the underpass with colour for commuters

Faye Keane from Severnside Community Rail Partnership said: "The new artworks reflect the creative community that surrounds the station, which has been dubbed Bristol's Arts Quarter.

"It's been a pleasure to collaborate with Upfest to enhance the station and hope to encourage more visitors to come visit the area by train."

Councillor Lisa Stone said she was "impressed" with the quality and quantity of designs to choose from.

She said: "Ed Plowden [fellow local councillor] and I were pleased to secure contributions from local developers for these murals, so as to improve the station experience."

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