Work starts this week on a Community art scheme underneath a viaduct in Bristol.

Severnside Community Rail Partnership and Network Rail have joined forces and commissioned artist groups and five local artists to create new artwork to replace the graffiti underneath Fox Park viaduct.

The railway viaduct on Stapleton Road in Easton, Bristol will see preparatory works start this week, including the erection of scaffolding and prepping and priming the walls.

The artwork paintings will start next month and are expected to take around 2 weeks to complete.

The project follows on from last year when another community rail art scheme improved the appearance of Stapleton Road station with a large mural painting.

Steve Melanophy, Network Rail’s community safety manager, said: “It’s really great to see members of the local community coming together to produce some fantastic artwork to improve the look of the local area. Network Rail have worked alongside Severnside Community Rail Partnership on several projects including the Stapleton Road art murals that were produced last September by local artist group Peace of Art, Anne Higgie and Mary Reynolds.”

“We want Bristol’s railway infrastructure to be a clean and welcoming environment for our passengers and local residents living alongside the railway. We are hoping that this new artwork will inspire people and continue to do so for years to come.”

Heather Cullimore, Severnside Community Rail Partnership’s partnership manager, said: “It is very exciting to extend the new community artwork at Stapleton Road station by commissioning a set of murals designed to improve the aesthetics of structures at nearby Fox Park.”

“Local arts collective Peace of Art and Anna Higgie are involved with both schemes, and four more artists- Silent Hobo, Rob Wheeler, Dave Bane and Zoe Power will be working hard to complete their contribution over the next three weeks. Each of these artists has a connection with Easton and their designs are reflective of the district’s vibrancy and diversity.”

Ruth Pickersgill, Bristol City Council’s councillor for Easton Ward, said: “Easton is proud to have a diverse community with a wealth of creativity, and I am really excited that some of our local artists will be able to display their work and improve our local environment at the same time through this project.”

“The Council has been really pleased to be able to fund Severnside Community Partnership to make a range of improvements to our local station at Stapleton Rd and its surroundings, making it safer and more accessible, but also working with local artists to showcase their innovative artwork.”

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