FAQs
Who will fund the mural?
The mural installation, cleaning and improved lighting will be funded by sponsorship, crowdfunding and public donations via a fundraising campaign to be launched early in 2026. The first phase of the mural design however has been funded by a generous award of £15,000 from the Retail Consortium and VISA, called Let’s celebrate Towns that had been awarded to the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership in 2024.
What will happen to the pigeons?
Whilst managing the pigeons is not part of the BART’s remit, we understand that metal mesh panels (more robust than the previous netting used) will be installed by Network Rail and Shropshire Council in late 2025. Their plan is to deter the pigeons from nesting in the tunnels and reduce the population residing there.
The walls are really dirty and wet, how will you paint a mural on them?
The proposal is to paint the mural on a small scale, digitally scan the images and print on to large aluminium boards to be installed onto the walls. They will be specially coated so that a quick hose down will keep them looking like new, even with graffiti!
Won’t the tunnel just look messy within a few months of the mural going up?
Before the mural is installed an ongoing maintenance and cleaning programme will be set up. The source of funding for this is yet to be decided.
Are you going to improve the traffic flow in the area?
Whilst as a charity we have no say in the traffic flow we understand the frustration of motorists and sincerely hope that the murals may raise a smile and help ease the frustration.
How much will it cost to print and install the mural?
All costs will be put to tender with local businesses, however we estimate around £1000 per metre - there is 200 metres in total! Depending on funding, we may decide to install themural in sections over a period of time.
It’s a horrible dingy tunnel, are you going to improve the lighting?
The current lighting is to highway standards, however we would like to see new brighter lighting which would need to be funded by the project. As well as making it a more pleasant place to walk, cycle or drive through, we believe that improved lighting will also help to improve safety in the area.
Who will be designing and painting the original mural before scanning?
The mural will be painted by local students studying at Shrewsbury Colleges Group under the mentorship of professional mural artist, Russ Meehan. The first students completed their designs in March 2025 and the top 6 were selected to develop their designs and receive a cash prize. Plans are underway for the 25/26 module which will incorporate content led by ideas from the community survey, which included pupils from local schools.
Why the Gateway Tunnel and Castle Gates Bridge?
Gastle Gates and Cross Street provide one of three main entrances to our wonderful town (the English and Welsh Bridges being the other two) and the first welcome from the train station. We want to improve the area so that residents and visitors alike are met with a
clean, bright, safe, vibrant, inspirational and informative welcome to our town.