In order to brighten up a corner of Chatham, Kent, Network Rail have paired up with Arches Local and artist Lionel Stanhope.
They will be brightening up under local railway landmark the Luton Arches
They will be creating a mural which is to feature another lost landmark, the Driver Fountain which once stood on the same spot, and the HMS Victory Warship, which was built just down the hill at Chatham Dockyard.
The 1858-built arches help the London to Faversham mainline over the steep Luton Valley – including trains from the better-known Luton in Bedfordshire – They are seen by thousands of people every day on their way in and out of the town on the A2 road.
As for the Driver Fountain, it was moved in the 1970s. It now sits in Chatham Cemetery and the HMS Victory is in a dry dock in Portsmouth.
In addition to the mural, the arches are also due some improvement work in the near future.
Arches Local’s Stephen Perez said: “We’ve been working with Network Rail on the arches for the last four or five years and we’ve seen lots of improvements in that time. I think is fantastic, it’s a celebration of the arches, the Driver Fountain and of course the HMS Victory.
“I hope that, as with all the work we’ve done with Network Rail, it changes the narrative of the area, and gives people a sense of belonging, a sense of pride, which has sadly been missing here in some ways for a long time. We’re going to enjoy this for years to come.”
Lionel Stanhope said: “I love the fact we’re so close to the sea here and the blues are lovely and really pop out of the wall, as well as the Victory itself, which was built here. It’s a much bigger, grander structure than the ones I normally work on and you can see this mural from all the way down the road.
“Some areas are really deserving of art and brightening up and it’s great to give this area a boost. It gets things moving and makes things happen.”
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shame about the generous layer of bird cr ap!! luton arches – b c central – health hazard
Perhaps Luton, Bedfordshire could have a mural. Showing support of the town with the picture of the town hall or airport or a football club Luton Town FC. That looks impressive. Just like the one at Millwall in Southeast London. Very good.