City mural celebrating 200 years of rail travel

A new mural marking 200 years of rail travel has been installed under a railway bridge.

The artwork, which depicts various local buildings and landmarks, has been installed at the entrance to The Arches, opposite Worcester Foregate train station.

City council leader Lynn Denham described the mural, which was created by local artist Sarah Brown, as a "wonderful addition to Worcester's culture".

"It makes Foregate Street Station more welcoming to visitors, celebrates our railway heritage and entices people to explore The Arches walkway and the businesses based there," she added.

The mural, part of Great Western Railway's contribution to Railway 200, was created by Brown in collaboration with local people.

Students from Heart of Worcestershire College helped find buildings they felt made the city distinctive for the mural, with the finished artwork depicting landmarks including Worcester Cathedral, The Hive, Friar Street and the Boathouse, alongside the River Severn.

The mural is at the entrance to The Arches, an area of refurbished Victorian railway arches which is home to cafes and bars.

Funding from Great Western Railway was matched by Worcester City Council to enable arts company Severn Arts to commission the creation.

Brown added: "It was a lot of fun to hear the ways rail travel has impacted people in Worcestershire over the years, from enabling care of their grandchildren, to unforgettable memories of adventures in the school holidays and so many more.

"I hope that this captures the essence of the beautiful architecture and nature of Worcester and the magic of rail travel so many talked about, as well as the major aspirations of rail travel from steam to diesel, electric, hydrogen and beyond."

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