Shrewsbury Gateway Mural
The Shrewsbury Gateway Mural is The BART’s first working project. Working in collaboration with local organisations, with the aim to clean up and lift the area with large scale art. We want to transform the current pedestrian and road tunnel into a clean, safe, vibrant and engaging space for all to enjoy.
About the Project
The ‘idea’ was born in late 2021 and, having researched and prepared proposals, in February 2024, The BART founder Jane Manning pitched the idea to the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan partners (SBTP).
In March 2024, a steering group was set up and in April 2025 The BART became a registered charity and currently has three trustees.
Project aims
Whether you’re a visitor to Shrewsbury or a resident, the English and Welsh Bridges both provide beautiful, sweeping welcomes to one and all. The ‘Shrewsbury Gateway Underpass’ however, which forms the third main entrance into our historic town, is in need of some inspired regeneration and is now the centre of our mural project!
The aim of this project is to transform the tunnels within Cross Street and Castle Foregate into a clean, welcoming, safe and inclusive space that is bright, vibrant and informative. The mural project aims to inspire engagement and learning about the town whilst providing local students in further education the opportunity to develop skills and their CVs by engaging in the art and design of the mural.
Art for everyone
This community-led mural is set to bring the stories of local people, places, hidden histories and folklore of Shrewsbury to life.
If you call Shrewsbury ‘home’ to you or your business, or you’re visiting our wonderful town to discover what this hidden gem has to offer, the Shrewsbury Gateway Tunnel Mural promises a feast of art and education, for everyone.
If you are local to Shropshire and would like to get involved in shaping the creative content of our mural, we would love to hear your ideas!
Project Stages
The Shrewsbury Gateway Tunnel mural project is set out in three separate phases, with phase one already well underway.
Development
PHASE 1
In August 2024 The Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partners (SBTP) were selected to win £15,000 from the ‘Let’s Celebrate Towns’ Awards by the British Retail Consortium and Visa, and have allocated this funding to the Shrewsbury Gateway Tunnel project.
In September 2024, a collaborative project was set up with Shrewsbury Colleges Group and design concepts for the mural formed one module for a group of first year BTEC art & design students. In July 2025, six students were selected for awards for their work and have been offered an exciting opportunity to form part of a working group, led by professional mural artist Russ Meehan, to develop the final design.
In June 2026, ten students were selected for awards for their work and offered further exciting opportunities with Russ.
RUSS MEEHAN
Mural Artist
Manchester-based professional artist Russ Meehan has been involved in many mural projects across both his home area in Manchester and around the UK.
'This is his first project that will not involve painting directly onto walls! Instead, he has been working with local students to develop the mural on a smaller scale to be digitally scanned and printed on to Dibond boards and installed directly onto the walls of the tunnel.'
Russ Meehan
Delivery
PHASE 2
There’s a total of 200 metres of walls throughout the Cross Street and Castlefields tunnels! As it is not practical to paint directly onto the walls of the tunnels, the final design artwork will be digitally scanned and then printed onto large scale, special lightweight aluminium composite boards called DiBond. These are easy to erect, clean and maintain - an important aspect of the project. These boards are durable, weatherproof, and graffiti resistant.
Keeping it clean!
PHASE 3
This is an equally critical phase and will include ongoing maintenance and cleaning of the tunnel, board upkeep and replacement of any damaged boards.
The location of the mural, as shown on the map, is from Chester Street into Cross Street and Castlefields, known locally as the Shrewsbury Station gyratory system.
Location