We’re currently working with Shildon Station Adopters and Locomotion, on a project to improve the experience of using Shildon Station. The footbridge is used by rail passengers and the local community to get into town. It has been neglected for many years and graffiti has made walking across it an unpleasant experience.
We have been working with local Street Artist, Dan Walls, who also painted the bright artwork on the platform walls a couple of years ago and which still look great!
Dan and our Rail Education Officer Jess along with staff from Locomotion, have visited two Bishop Auckland based secondary schools – St John’s Catholic College & Sixth Form and King James I Academy, to engage year 9 students in the project. Over several visits the students have explored the history of Shildon, the relevance of the upcoming 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, learned about rail safety and about the benefits of street art and how it can enhance a place.
The students have developed a set of key words to define their artwork and the designs they have created are fabulous.
Volunteers from the Friends of the National Railway Museum (NE Branch) and colleagues from ISS have been preparing the bridge to get it ready for the artwork to be applied.
Over the coming weeks the bridge will be painted by Dan and the students and we look forward to unveiling their design.
Watch this space!
