Bristol avenue artist to remodel Ashley Down railway station

A avenue artist says he’s “very happy” to have been commissioned to create a mural at a railway station.

Ashley Down station in Bristol, which closed 60 years in the past, was re-opened in September 2024 after a £23m revamp.

Local artist Andy Council was chosen after Severnside Community Rail Partnership asked artists to submit applications to remodel the station to rejoice its first anniversary.

“Gaining local knowledge of an area is key to my work and I’m looking forward to working with community members to make this piece extra special,” mentioned Mr Council.

“I plan on painting creatures that are made up of local landmarks which will represent the areas people, history, sporting heritage and wildlife,” he added.

The artist has spoken to Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Bristol Rovers FC and native councillors to get concepts and inspiration for the mural.

“I’m very happy to have been chosen to paint this prominent wall which will greet passengers at the new station,” he mentioned.

“It’s exciting to have a station at this location once again which will offer Bristolians more options to get around the city and beyond.”

The unveiling in late September will even coincide with the two hundredth anniversary of the fashionable railway.

Helen Godwin, the mayor of the West of England, mentioned there had been a “fantastic response” to the artist name out and the panel struggled to select only one.

“I can’t wait to see the mural that Andy creates,” she mentioned.

“This artwork will be a celebration of the station itself and the rich heritage of the local area, the city, and our whole region,” mentioned Ms Godwin.

Faye Keane, neighborhood improvement officer at Severnside Community Rail Partnership, mentioned she hoped Mr Council would “offer a playful and impressive mural representing the history and community of Ashley Down”.

Ashley Down is the most recent station to open within the west of England and was the second to open in Bristol in slightly below a century, following Portway Park & Ride station in 2023.