Cricklewood station on the Thameslink network now has a new colourful mural. Created by artist Alistair Lambert, it features imagery of Handley Page biplanes.
The mural can be found on the walkway up to platform one and was funded through Govia Thameslink Railway's Passenger Benefit Fund.
The idea for the mural was suggested by the NorthWestTwo Residents' Association to honour the area's rich heritage.
Frederick Handley Page founded the first British public company to build aircraft in 1909 and had a factory in Cricklewood in 1912. Cricklewood became the home to one of the very first commercial airlines in the world, with flights to Paris.
What did the officials say?
Thameslink's Radlett to Cricklewood Station Manager Marc Asamoah said:
“Local residents take huge pride in their station here at Cricklewood and it's wonderful to see their ideas being brought to life. The new mural has been admired by all who use the station and has generated much interest.”
NorthWestTwo Residents' Association Secretary Marie Hancock said:
“We're delighted to work with Alistair to celebrate Cricklewood's rich heritage and at the same time, enhance the station environment. This is the first of several projects being delivered at the station thanks to the Passenger Benefit Fund.”
Artist Alistair Lambert said:
“I wanted to capture something of the hope and excitement of those early interwar years. Nowadays flying is a luxury we take for granted and continue at our planet's peril, but back then the sky was the limit and Cricklewood was there at the very start of it.”
At the mural unveiling, former Handley Page employee Alan Dowsett made a special trip from his home in Epping to see the piece of artwork. Alan, 79, said:
“I'm very impressed with the mural. Handley Page was a good place to work; it was like a big family. Old employees still keep in touch.”
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Is there plans to build a new railway station between Cricklewood and Hendon in North London that would serve Brent Cross shopping centre and Brent Cross Northern Line station known as Brent Cross Thameslink station with interchange to the Northern Line. Which is to be built in that area and next to the M1 motorway & A406 North Circular Road.