(L-R) Assistant Mayor with responsibility for transport, Councillor Mark Bradshaw, Bristol artist Bill Guilding and Severnside Community Rail Partnership chairman Keith Walton at Stapleton Road Station.The iconic Stapleton Road Station mural has returned home following full restoration works, thanks to Bristol City Council, Severnside Community Rail Partnership and First Great Western.
Originally painted in 1999, the mural depicts community life in Easton and contains 30 life-size figures waiting for a train.
Historical figures appear in black and white, with portraits of famous locals including the cricketer W.G.Grace, Indian reformer Raja Rammohun Roy, and the Trade Union founder, Ben Tillett.
The mural had significantly weathered over the years, prior to its temporary removal last summer for a full restoration by Bristol artist Bill Guilding.
Bristol City Council contributed significantly towards the ^4,800 restoration, with dismantling and re-erection costs being funded by First Great Western.
Councillor Mark Bradshaw, Assistant Mayor with responsibility for transport, was joined at the station on Wednesday, 18 March by Bristol artist Bill Guilding and Severnside Community Rail Partnership chairman Keith Walton, to mark the return of the iconic mural.
Councillor Bradshaw said: ^m delighted to see the mural, which means so much to the local community, returned to its former glory at Stapleton Road Station. This is one of a number of improvements, funded by Bristol City Council and First Great Western, to improve the station for rail passengers. Investing in Bristol^s rail and bus network remains a top priority, with the refurbishment of stations such as Stapleton Road playing a key role in making public transport an attractive and quality alternative to the car.^
Keith Walton, chairman of the Severnside Community Rail Partnership, said: ^The mural has iconic status and means a great deal to the community in Easton. We are absolutely thrilled to see the mural back in its rightful place ^ and looking better than ever - for the whole community to enjoy.
FGW Station Manager for Stapleton Road, Mike Holmes, said: "We at First Great Western are committed to the communities we serve and I am absolutely delighted to have this mural fully restored and back at the station. Over 165,000 passengers a year pass through this station. It is wonderful to be able to provide a safe and stimulating space for them, as we work to keep people moving.^
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