‘Dilapidated’ rail subway in Castleford to undergo art makeover
Works featuring the town’s Roman links, coal mining heritage and sporting success are among those to be installed.
A series of public artworks celebrating Castleford’s history are to be installed in a ‘dilapidated’ subway near to the town’s railway station.
Wakefield Council said Beancroft Subway would be temporarily closed while the colourful designs were put in place.
Works featuring the town’s Roman links, coal mining heritage and sporting success are among those to be installed.
The improvements are part of the council’s ongoing work to improve walking routes between the town centre and the train station.
Artist Ellie Way has created a series of pieces inspired by community engagement sessions with local residents.
Council leader Denise Jeffery said: “We’ve carried out lots of improvement work around Castleford train station recently and sometimes it’s the smaller projects that make the biggest difference.
“These new artworks celebrate the people, places, and stories that have put Castleford on the map.
“They’ll give everyone using the subway a great insight into the town and its history.”
The installation forms part of the ‘first and last mile’ scheme, which aims to enhance key gateways to the station.
The local authority secured £720,000 of funding from Network Rail for the project.
Other completed works include installing new lighting and CCTV cameras, resurfacing Station Road and murals at Welbeck Street and Tickle Cock Bridge.
Planning permission for the subway art was granted in November last year.
A planning statement prepared on behalf of the council said at the time: “Currently, the site is in a state of dilapidation.
“The walls are stained due to water ingress from the railway structure above, lighting has been subject to vandalism, and the area is widely perceived as unsafe.
“Upon reopening, the space will present a dramatically transformed environment for public use.”
Around 92% of people who responded to a public consultation supported proposals to redevelop the area around the station.
A total of 22 framed art works are planned, featuring original designs which were “inspired by iconic locations and themes from around Castleford.”
The subway, situated off Cambridge Street and Enterprise Way to the west of the station, spans around 40 metres.
It will be closed from March 16 to 20 allow the work to take place.
The council said diversion signs would be in place throughout the closure, with an alternative route fully marked out for pedestrians.