Basingstoke station in Hampshire has a new mural, thanks to local artist Sian Storey.
The mural depicts a view of London seen through a Hampshire hedgerow. Sian painted it on the station's railway bridge, next to Clifton Terrace road.
Previously, a black-and-white mural believed to date back to the early 1990s adorned the bridge.
Stefan Chybowski, Control Centre Manager for South Western Railway (SWR) based at Network Rail's Basingstoke Campus on Gresley Road, noticed Sian's artwork in Basingstoke town centre, and came up with the idea of asking her to create a new mural at the town's railway station. Stefan and his workmates pass the bridge on their way to work each day.
Sian responded to the request by developing a design focused on a historic hedgerow, showing a view through to London.
The hedgerow features Hampshire's native plants and animals, including blackberries, foxgloves, a brown hare, a robin, a pair of long-tailed tits and a dormouse. In the middle of the design is the skyline of London with an SWR train in Pride livery.
SWR funded the mural, with Network Rail providing materials and labour. SWR believes that the mural underlines its commitment to improving its network for its passengers, and to building strong ties to the communities it serves.
Another mural was recently painted below the railway bridge on Vyne Road, at the western end of the station.
Artist Sian Storey said: “South Western Railway wanted a fresh and bold mural that celebrates the journey from Hampshire's beautiful countryside to our nearby capital city.
“Every train journey from Basingstoke serves up mesmerising countryside views, so I wanted to capture that feeling of glimpsing through a hedgerow as the train glides past.
“Street art breathes new life and energy into an area – it can bring so much positivity and pride amongst the community too – so I hope this mural brings a new buzz to Basingstoke railway station.”
Stefan Chybowski, South Western Railway's Control Centre Manager, said: “My colleagues and I walk past the bridge at least eight times a week and I had often thought about replacing the faded and damaged mural with something a bit more colourful. I was so pleased when I contacted Sian and she said she would love to work on the project.
“I'm very grateful to our colleagues at Network Rail Wessex who helped to make it possible and to Sian for the fantastic result we can see today.”
Jenny Keen, South Western Railway's Basingstoke station manager, said: “I'm thrilled to see another fantastic mural completed at the station and have already seen people stopping to take pictures and appreciate what Sian has done here.
“It's brilliant as well that this follows so closely after the completion of another mural painted in the Vyne Road tunnel under the station. Both of these works have added some colour and style to the area and I hope our customers enjoy them as much as we do.”
Mike Styles, Network Rail Wessex Route's Area Services Manager, said: “It was great to be involved in this fantastic mural. Sian's depiction of the Hampshire countryside is vibrant and eye catching and I'm really pleased that we were able to support this project.”
