Underpass Artworks of the British Isles

( Page 1 2 3 4 )
Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   Text © Copyright October 2013, Thomas Nugent; licensed for re-use under a Creative Commons Licence.
Images also under a similar Creative Commons Licence.


Contents

Bradford, Jacob's Well roundabout

SE1632 : Yorkshire sayings by Stephen Craven
A mural work, possibly the collaborative work of local schoolchildren, on the tiled wall of a pedestrian subway at Jacob's Well in Bradford. Translations available on request!
by Stephen Craven



Oxted, railway station

TQ3952 : Station subway mosaic, Oxted by Stephen Craven
The subway under Oxted station has been refurbished with these colourful mosaics including directions such as this one to "shops and Station Road East".
by Stephen Craven



Yeovil, Red Lion Lane underpass

ST5516 : Mural, Red Lion lane, Yeovil by Derek Harper
Colourful murals decorate this subway at Yeovil Hospital, connecting Higher Kingston with Reckleford.
by Derek Harper




Dunfermline, Comely Park Subway

NT0987 : Comely Park underpass by Thomas Nugent
The underpass between Dunfermline Town railway station and Comely Park. This is the station side of the underpass.
by Thomas Nugent


NT0987 : Underpass artwork by Thomas Nugent
In the underpass between Dunfermline Town railway station and Comely Park.
by Thomas Nugent


NT0987 : Underpass artwork by Thomas Nugent
In the underpass between Dunfermline Town railway station and Comely Park.
by Thomas Nugent


NT0987 : Underpass artwork by Thomas Nugent
In the underpass between Dunfermline Town railway station and Comely Park.
by Thomas Nugent


NT0987 : Underpass artwork by Thomas Nugent
In the underpass between Dunfermline Town railway station and Comely Park.
by Thomas Nugent


NT0987 : Underpass artwork by Thomas Nugent
In the underpass between Dunfermline Town railway station and Comely Park.
by Thomas Nugent


NT0987 : Comely Park underpass by Thomas Nugent
The underpass between Dunfermline Town railway station and Comely Park. This is the Comely Park side of the underpass.
by Thomas Nugent



Greenock, Belville Street former underpass approaches (now blocked)

NS2875 : Belville Street mural by Thomas Nugent
Belville Street is in the background.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS2875 : Belville Street mural by Thomas Nugent
Details of some of the many vessels which are depicted on the mural.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS2875 : Belville Street mural by Thomas Nugent
St Laurence's Church is in the background.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS2875 : Belville Street mural by Thomas Nugent
A pipe runs vertically through the centre of the mural.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS2875 : Belville Street mural by Thomas Nugent
The blocked-up pedestrian underpass can be seen on the left.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS2875 : Belville Street mural by Thomas Nugent
Looking along the mural from the Belville Street entrance to the garden.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description



Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Bridge Street Underpass






SJ8446 : Newcastle-under-Lyme: Bridge Street Subway (6) by Jonathan Hutchins
The distinctive profile of St Giles' Church features in one mural.
by Jonathan Hutchins
Shared Description



Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Ryecroft Underpass

SJ8446 : Newcastle-under-Lyme: subway art by Jonathan Hutchins
Entrance to the Ryecroft underpass off Liverpool Road on the north side of the dual carriageway.
by Jonathan Hutchins


SJ8446 : Newcastle-under-Lyme: subway art by Jonathan Hutchins
The art in this subway celebrates Newcastle-born Philip Astley (1742-1814), 'father of the modern circus'. See also LinkExternal link
by Jonathan Hutchins


SJ8446 : Newcastle-under-Lyme: subway art by Jonathan Hutchins
The art in this subway celebrates Newcastle-born Philip Astley (1742-1814), 'father of the modern circus'. See also LinkExternal link and LinkExternal link
by Jonathan Hutchins



Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Nelson Place Subway


SJ8546 : Decorated Underpass by Glyn Baker
A subway under the A52/53 Junction
by Glyn Baker



Gorton, A57 Underpass

SJ8995 : Gorton Works & Belle Vue Zoo Mural by Gerald England
The mural on the walls of the A57 underpass references Belle Vue Zoo and the Central Railway Works in Gorton.
by Gerald England


SJ8995 : Debdale Community Orchard Mural by Gerald England
On the A57 underpass at Debdale.
by Gerald England


SJ8995 : Debdale Mural by Gerald England
A mural on the side of the A57 underpass.
by Gerald England



Dunkirk, A52 Ring Road Underpass

SK5538 : You needs hands . . . (3) by Alan Murray-Rust
Decorative graffiti in the subway under the ring road at Dunkirk. Painted in March 2012 by pupils from Dunkirk Primary School LinkExternal link and commendably free from unwanted over-painting.
by Alan Murray-Rust


SK5538 : You need hands . . . (2) by Alan Murray-Rust
Decorative graffiti in the subway under the ring road at Dunkirk. All the kids at Dunkirk Primary School appear to have had a hand in creating this artwork.
by Alan Murray-Rust


SK5538 : You need hands . . . (1) by Alan Murray-Rust
Decorative graffiti in the subway under the ring road at Dunkirk. All the kids at Dunkirk Primary School appear to have had a hand in creating this artwork LinkExternal link .
by Alan Murray-Rust



Cramlington, A189 Elly Dee Underpass


NZ2775 : The Elley Dee Underpass by Kevin Richardson
'Elley Dee' illuminates a previously dingy pedestrian underpass under the A189. The title is an affectionate reference to the L.E.Ds used in the new lighting system.
by Kevin Richardson



Dover, A20 Underpass

TR3241 : Underpass, Dover by pam fray
Running between the town centre and the sea front, this underpass gives pedestrians and cyclists safe access under the A20. The tiled murals show the maritime history of the area.
by pam fray


TR3241 : Mural on the wall of the underpass by John Baker
The underpass is under Townwall Street. The wide red strip was painted on the floor in preparation for the 2012 Olympic torch relay, which will pass through here on 18 July.
by John Baker



Paisley Gilmour Street railway station underpass

In the upper of the two underpasses at the station, between the platforms. By local artist Caroline Gormley, who was assisted by co-artist Sandy Guy
NS4864 : Mural at Paisley Gilmour Street railway station by Thomas Nugent
The finished article.
by Thomas Nugent



NS4864 : Mural at Paisley Gilmour Street railway station by Thomas Nugent
Artists in dark suits at work on the new "Welcome to Paisley" mural in the passageway between platforms 3 and 4.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS4864 : Mural at Paisley Gilmour Street railway station by Thomas Nugent
Artists in dark suits at work on the new "Welcome to Paisley" mural in the passageway between platforms 3 and 4.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description



Motherwell, Barrie Street Underpass

This is one of four underpasses which connect the town centre shops with the suburbs. Located at the south end of the shopping centre, it passes under the A721 road to Barrie Street, where a ramp leads up to street level.

The underpass is adorned by artworks on both sides which are glazed into the ceramic tiles by means of a special technique. This work was carried out by 6247 Public Art LinkExternal link .

The main 18 artworks feature framed 'paintings' of local scenes and famous local people. The framed artworks are being held, pushed and pulled by monochrome line drawn characters in various poses.

The local scenes depicted are, Storm - Firth of Clyde, Heritage Centre, Aerial 1947, Strathclyde Loch, Motherwell Cross, Old Clyde Bridge Motherwell, Dalziel North Church, Library, Roman Bridge River Calder, Washing Line Windmill Street, The Delburn Falls, McGregor's Mill, Wild Moor and Jerviston Keep.

The local famous people depicted are,
Cathie Gibson (Olympic Bronze Medal swimmer LinkExternal link )
Sir Alexander Gibson (Conductor LinkExternal link )
Bobby Ancell (footballer LinkExternal link ).

Also depicted is Hanah - Autumn (unknown).

NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The Barrie Street end of the underpass.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The Barrie Street end of the underpass.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The shopping centre side of the underpass.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The shopping centre side of the underpass.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Washing Line - Windmill Street and Delburn Falls.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Bobby Ancell, Scottish international footballer.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Motherwell Cross.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Storm - Firth of Clyde.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Motherwell Cross and Storm - Firth of Clyde.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Strathclyde Loch and Bobby Ancell, Scottish international footballer.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Some of the black & white line drawings which complement the 'paintings'.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Cathie Gibson, 1948 Olympics swimming Bronze medallist.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Some of the black & white line drawings which complement the 'paintings'.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Heritage Centre and Aerial 1947.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Amanda - Autumn.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Old Clyde Bridge, Motherwell.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
This section of the mural shows 'thumbnails' of the larger sized artworks to be found in the underpass.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Jerviston Keep.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Storm - Firth of Clyde.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
McGregor's Mill.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Library and Roman Bridge, River Calder.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : Barrie Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Dalziel North Church and Sir Alexander Gibson.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description



Motherwell, West Hamilton Street underpass

This is one of four underpasses which connect the town centre shops with the suburbs. Located at the west end of the shopping centre, it passes under West Hamilton Street to Mason Road, where a ramp leads up to street level.

The underpass is adorned by artworks on both sides which are glazed into the ceramic tiles by means of a special technique. This work was carried out by photographer Susie Baker and designer Bruce Macaulay of 6247 Public Art LinkExternal link , the same group which produced the ceramic tile mural at the Oak Mall in Greenock Link .

One wall of the underpass features a linear representation of the West Coast Main Line railway and includes photographs of the key towns on the route. The line passes around 100 yards east of this point.

The other wall features a linear representation of the River Clyde from source to sea and also includes photographs of the key landmarks along the length of the river. The Clyde passes around half a mile to the south west of this point.

NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The Brandon Parade end of the underpass.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
This is the Brandon Parade side of the underpass, with Brandon Post Office above.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The Mason Road end of the underpass.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The Mason Road end of the underpass.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description



The River Clyde Mural
NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Nr Little Clyde Farm and Daer Reservoir, near the source of the River Clyde.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Abington and Crawford on the River Clyde.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Abington on the River Clyde.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Carstairs Junction, Thankerton and Lamington Tower on the River Clyde.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Lanark on the River Clyde.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Motherwell and Rosebank on the River Clyde.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Glasgow, Rutherglen, Cambuslang and Uddingston on the River Clyde.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Dumbarton, Old Kilpatrick, Dalmuir, Yoker, Renfrew and Whiteinch on the River Clyde.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Loch Long, Gare Loch and Helensburgh on the River Clyde.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description



The West Coast Main Line Mural
NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Glasgow Central and Motherwell stations on the West Coast Main Line.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Lockerbie, Carlisle and Penrith stations on the West Coast Main Line.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Oxenholme and Lancaster stations on the West Coast Main Line.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Preston, Warrington and Crewe stations on the West Coast Main Line.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Stafford and Birmingham stations on the West Coast Main Line.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Coventry, Rugby and Milton Keynes stations on the West Coast Main Line.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7556 : West Hamilton Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Milton Keynes and London Euston stations on the West Coast Main Line.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description



Motherwell, Merry Street underpass

This is one of four underpasses which connect the town centre shops with the suburbs. Located at the north end of the shopping centre, it passes under the A721 Menteith Street Street. Both sides of the underpass have ramps leading up to street level.

The underpass is adorned by artworks on both sides which are glazed into the ceramic tiles by means of a special technique. This work was carried out by designer Bruce Macaulay of 6247 Public Art LinkExternal link , the same group which produced the ceramic tile mural at the Oak Mall in Greenock Link .

The photographic artworks show world landmarks with tenuous links to Motherwell (such as distance or latitude), presumably intended not to be taken too seriously.

NS7557 : Merry Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The west end of the underpass at Brandon Place East shopping precinct.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7557 : Merry Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The east side of the underpass, looking towards the town centre.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7557 : Merry Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The east side of the underpass, looking towards the town centre.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7557 : Merry Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The Eiger (3189 metres higher than Motherwell).
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7557 : Merry Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Eiffel Tower, Paris (548 miles from Merry Street) and Grand Canal, Venice (1009 miles from Strathclyde Loch).
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7557 : Merry Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
St Basil's cathedral, Moscow (0 degrees south of Brandon Street) and Sydney Opera House (16,916Km from Motherwell Concert Hall).
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7557 : Merry Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The Colosseum, Rome (1213 miles from Roman Road) and Rio de Janerio (203 X more people than Motherwell).
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7557 : Merry Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Empire State Building (12.5 X higher than the Heritage Centre) and the Antarctic Coast (-10C average temperature, Motherwell 8C average temperature).
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7557 : Merry Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
Prague, Church of Our Lady before Týn (862 miles from Motherwell) and the Sahara Desert (1.14 inches average rainfall, Motherwell 39 inches).
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description


NS7557 : Merry Street underpass by Thomas Nugent
The River Nile (39 X longer than the Clyde) and the Great Wall of China (49 X longer than the M74).
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description



Garscube Road underpass, Cowcaddens, Glasgow

This is one of two pedestrian and cyclist underpasses which link Cowcaddens subway station to the city centre (the other passes under Cowcaddens Road).

The walls are adorned by professional graffiti-style murals by the street artist 'Rogue One' LinkExternal link . These are in the form of shadow puppet animals and the hands which create them.

NS5866 : Garscube Road pedestrian underpass by Thomas Nugent NS5866 : Garscube Road pedestrian underpass by Thomas Nugent NS5866 : Garscube Road pedestrian underpass by Thomas Nugent NS5866 : Garscube Road underpass by Thomas Nugent

Greenock Bullring Car Park, North Pedestrian Underpass

This underpass provides a pedestrian link between the car park and the Waterfront Retail Park. It has seen some official and unofficial murals over the years, but in March 2023 a new mural by Magic Torch Comics was commissioned by Inverclyde Council. It depicts local characters in a comic book style.
NS2876 : Greenock Bullring Car Park Comic Book Murals by Thomas Nugent
Inverclyde Council and Discover Inverclyde branding.

Discover Inverclyde: LinkExternal link (or scan the QR code).
Magic Torch Comics: LinkExternal link (or scan the QR code).
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description



NS2876 : Greenock Bullring Car Park Comic Book Murals by Thomas Nugent
Looking towards the retail park.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description



NS2876 : Greenock Bullring Car Park Comic Book Murals by Thomas Nugent
Looking from the car park towards the retail park.
by Thomas Nugent
Shared Description



Newport, S Wales, Old Green Crossing

These murals are the work of Kenneth and Oliver Budd. They date from 1975 and their future is currently (2023) uncertain as there are plans to redevelop the roundabout under which they are situated. They depict stalls in the nearby indoor market. However with the recent refurbishment of the market, these stalls no longer exist
ST3188 : Market Mosaic (1) by Robin Drayton
One of a number of mosaics in a pedestrian underpass near to Newport Indoor Market. LinkExternal link
For another mosaic see LinkExternal link .
by Robin Drayton


ST3188 : Market Mosaic (2) by Robin Drayton
One of a number of mosaics in a pedestrian underpass near to Newport Indoor Market. LinkExternal link .
For another mosaic see LinkExternal link .
by Robin Drayton


ST3188 : Market Mosaic (3) by Robin Drayton
One of a number of mosaics in a pedestrian underpass near to Newport Indoor Market. LinkExternal link.
For another mosaic see LinkExternal link .
by Robin Drayton


ST3188 : Market Mosaic (4) by Robin Drayton
One of a number of mosaics in a pedestrian underpass near to Newport Indoor Market. LinkExternal link.
For another mosaic see LinkExternal link .
by Robin Drayton


ST3188 : Market Mosaic (5) by Robin Drayton
One of a number of mosaics in a pedestrian underpass near to Newport Indoor Market. LinkExternal link .
For another mosaic see LinkExternal link .
by Robin Drayton


ST3188 : Market Mosaic (6) by Robin Drayton
One of a number of mosaics in a pedestrian underpass near to Newport Indoor Market. LinkExternal link .
For another mosaic see LinkExternal link .
by Robin Drayton


ST3188 : Market Mosaic (7) by Robin Drayton
One of a number of mosaics in a pedestrian underpass near to Newport Indoor Market. LinkExternal link .
For another mosaic see LinkExternal link .
by Robin Drayton


The following mural is not in the underpass but alongside one of the approach paths.
ST3188 : Floodlit Newport Castle by Robin Drayton
Taken from within the Old Green roundabout LinkExternal link .
In the foreground is part of a mural that dates from the early 1970’s and commemorates the Monmouthshire Railway & Canal Company which contributed to the rapid growth of Newport as a port during the mid 1800’s. The railway and canal passed near to where the roundabout is located.
by Robin Drayton



Llangennech, S Wales, A4138 Underpass

The underpass provides safe pedestrian access between the north and south sides of Troserch Road. The mural is the work of Jenks Art LinkExternal link .
SN5502 : Llangennech Mural by Conor MacDonald
A mural depicting Llangennech's history in an underpass in the village. This picture shows a miner next to the now closed Morlais Colliery. Huw Edwards, who grew up in the village is also shown next to the local rugby team's logo. This graffiti art was created by JenksArt.
by Conor MacDonald



Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, Rishworth Road underpass

The underpass links the town centre with the library, Minster and retail parks. Artist Saba Rifat, 2022.
SE2421 : New artwork in an underpass by Stephen Craven
This has appeared since my last visit in September 2022 SE2421 : Underpass at the bottom of Rishworth Road. The artwork is titled Tessella by Saba Rifat, and uses 3,000 tiles.
by Stephen Craven



Coventry, Riley Square

On the ground floor of Joseph Latham House, Riley Square, Bell Green, which straddles the entrance to the shopping precinct. Artist unknown. The building is scheduled for demolition.
SP3582 : Riley mural, Riley Square, Bell Green by A J Paxton
A pair of brightly-coloured murals enlivens the gloomy entrance to the Riley Square shopping precinct from Henley Road. They are painted on the walls of Joseph Latham House, the block of flats which straddles the entrance. This photo shows half of the mural on the northwest side.

Riley Square is named after William or Billy Riley, the local boy who gave his name to Riley Motors and its cars. His son Percy built his first car in 1898 at the age of 16, working in secret because his father, a bicycle manufacturer, did not approve. It was not until 1907 that Percy and his brothers convinced their father to switch from making bicycles and motorcycles to automobiles. The company was bought by Morris Motors in 1938. See Wikipedia LinkExternal link and Graces Guide LinkExternal link .

In the background can be seen other scenes of Bell Green life. The pub is the Rose & Crown, which still stands at the top of Aldermans Green Road, although it was rebuilt in the 1950s. To the right, a double-decker tram with an advertisement for Lifebuoy soap descends Bell Green Road towards Coventry city centre.

The other half of the mural can be seen here SP3582 : Riley Square mural, Bell Green.
by A J Paxton


SP3582 : Riley Square mural, Bell Green by A J Paxton SP3582 : Bell Green mural, Riley Square by A J Paxton SP3582 : 1887 Bell Green mural, Riley Square by A J Paxton SP3582 : Local boy who founded Riley Motors by A J Paxton SP3582 : Joseph Latham House, Riley Square, seen from Henley Road by A J Paxton SP3582 : Detail of Bell Green 1887 mural, Riley Square: Oxford Canal & Alexandra Colliery by A J Paxton SP3582 : Detail of Bell Green 1887 mural, Riley Square: St Laurence's church, Foleshill  by A J Paxton SP3582 : Detail of 1887 Bell Green mural, Riley Square: Road from Coventry to Leicester by A J Paxton SP3582 : Detail of Riley Square mural, Joseph Latham House: A New Vision by A J Paxton SP3582 : Detail of Riley Square mural, Joseph Latham House: Bell Green Road by A J Paxton

Coventry, Pool Meadow Bus Station

This underpass passes under White Street, connecting the bus station with Hillfields. The mural facing the bus station, of Robert Beckford, Terry Hall and others, was painted in 2021 for the UK City of Culture events; the boards have been much vandalised and repaired.
SP3379 : In the City of Coventry: Robert Beckford and Terry Hall by A J Paxton
A theologian and a pop star flank the entrance to the subway that leads from Pool Meadow bus station and passes under White Street.

On the left is Robert Beckford, academic theologian and TV presenter, who was born in Northamptonshire of Jamaican parents, but spent the later part of his childhood in Coventry, where he was raised in a Wesleyan holiness church and introduced to radical politics by a teacher at Stoke Park School (see this interview, originally from the Birmingham Post and Mail LinkExternal link ).

On the right is the late Terry Hall, lead singer of The Specials, who were at the heart of the 2-tone music scene in Coventry that is celebrated by Carrie Reichardt's mural on the front of the bus station - see SP3379 : Ska'd for Life: Coventry, the home of 2 Tone.

These two portraits form part of 'In the City of Coventry', a mural along the rear wall of Pool Meadow, where the bus station abuts onto the Coventry ring road. It was commissioned by the city council and painted by local artists including Nathan Parker, Michael Batchelor, Andrew Clare, Richard Inwood, Lee Thompson and Lewis Drage. Other sections of the mural can be seen at SP3379 : In the City of Coventry: Hazel O'Connor and SP3379 : In the City of Coventry: Manjinder Virk.
by A J Paxton


SP3379 : The City of Peace by A J Paxton
There is, if not light, then at least street art at the end of the tunnel. This is the subway that passes under White Street and leads from Pool Meadow bus station towards Hillfields. The other, Pool Meadow, end of the subway can be seen at SP3379 : In the City of Coventry: Robert Beckford and Terry Hall, with more murals.
by A J Paxton



Birmingham, junction of Smallbrook Queensway and Hurst Street

The buildings of Smallbrook Queensway, scheduled for demolition, bridge the junction on angled pilotis characteristic of the early 1960s. My parents had furniture with legs like that. The base has provided a canvas for street art. Molotov cocktails at Animal Farm proved unexpectedly topical in 2022.
SP0686 : Molotov in Birmingham: Drop burners not bombs by A J Paxton
A pig in Russian army uniform holds spray cans in its trotters and admires its work in this mural at the junction of Hurst Street and Smallbrook Queensway in central Birmingham.

Molotow Burner is a leading brand of spray paint; see the company website here LinkExternal link . It takes its name from the Molotov cocktail, an incendiary bomb improvised from a glass bottle filled with flammable liquid such as petrol. The name refers to Stalin's foreign minister Molotov and was coined by Finns defending their country from invasion by the USSR in the 1939-40 First Soviet-Finnish War, also known as the Winter War; see Wikipedia here LinkExternal link .

That Molotov is depicted here as a pig is presumably a reference to George Orwell's anticommunist satire Animal Farm, in which the pigs lead the animals' revolution.

When the photo was taken in early March 2022 the mural had become extremely topical owing to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and news reports of Ukrainian resisters preparing Molotov cocktails.
by A J Paxton



Birmingham, formerly at St Chad's Circus on the ring road, now at Digbeth

This mural by Kenneth Budd, creator of the Newport mosaics featured in this collection, was created in 1968 for the underpass by St Chad's, the Catholic cathedral, and wantonly destroyed forty years later when the junction was remodelled. How lightly these community art works are wrecked! It was recreated by Kenneth's son Oliver on the other side of the city centre as part of a themed 'Irish Quarter', but is no longer subterranean.
SP0786 : J F Kennedy memorial, Digbeth by A J Paxton
This mosaic mural of J F Kennedy, President of the United States of America from 1961 until his assassination in 1963, was designed by Kenneth Budd. It has stood at the corner of Digbeth and Floodgate Street in central Birmingham since 2013.

The original mural was made in 1968 and was a gift to Birmingham by the Irish community of the city, remembering the first man of Irish Catholic heritage to become US President. It was located on the ring road by St Chad's, the Catholic Cathedral (where it can be seen on this photo on Flickr LinkExternal link ). The rebuilding of this junction in 2007 led to the destruction of the mural (note how easily public art is damaged or destroyed - see for example SP3379 : Medieval map of Coventry).

The new version was overseen by Budd's son Oliver, who worked from his late father's designs. He had salvaged parts of the original mural, but these had faded and were not reused here. A new face was added at the bottom right, that of Mike Nangle, the first Irish Lord Mayor of Birmingham. Depicted in a more realistic style, he looks oddly out of place, a diminutive Irish Brit gazing at these stereotypically larger-than-life Americans, with their wide eyes and pearly-white teeth. See Wikipedia on the mural and its history LinkExternal link .
by A J Paxton


SP0786 : Detail of the J F Kennedy memorial mural, Digbeth by A J Paxton
For the full picture and description, see SP0786 : J F Kennedy memorial, Digbeth. The mural by Kenneth Budd, originally given to Birmingham in 1968 by the city's Irish community, illustrates Jack Kennedy's Irish Catholic roots with the Celtic cross to the left, while the US flag and presidential seal to the right honour his presidency, cut short by his assassination in 1963. At the far left, Martin Luther King can be seen raising his hat to the first US President to offer substantial support to the Black civil rights movement.

On the Irish in Birmingham, see Richard Vinen, Second City: Birmingham and the Forging of Modern Britain, Allen Lane, 2022, chapter 10. The reconstructed mural was placed in Digbeth in 2013 as part of a themed 'Irish Quarter', which has not been a success; the Irish Club over the road is derelict and boarded up, as is a second Irish social club nearby.
by A J Paxton



Birmingham, Holloway Circus, formerly known as Horsefair

More Kenneth Budd murals in a roundabout well with pedestrian underpasses on the inner ring road. These remain in situ.
SP0686 : Holloway Circus, Birmingham by Graham Taylor
The mosaic mural on the walls of the large traffic island at Holloway Circus commemorates its earlier name and purpose - Horsefair.
by Graham Taylor


SP0686 : Horsefair mural, Holloway Circus by Michael Westley
Location of mural and former horse trading. In background is foot of Clydesdale Tower (one of the Sentinels), and to the left, the upper floors of offices at start of Bristol Street (advertising Mercedes cars at the time). See also, SP0686 : Clydesdale Tower, Birmingham and SP0686 : Holloway Circus, Birmingham
by Michael Westley



Birmingham, Hockley Flyover, A41 at Hockley

If you insist on pedestrian locomotion in Birmingham and attempt to navigate the Hockley area you are likely to be sucked into these underpasses. Bill Mitchell adorned them with brutalist murals in the late 1960s when the flyover was built.
SP0588 : Hockley Flyover and subway entrance by A J Paxton
Hockley Flyover and Circus, the roundabout that the flyover crosses, were built around 1967 SP0588 : Hockley Flyover & Circus, looking towards Newtown. The relief sculptures on the subway entrances were designed by Bill Mitchell, who did a great deal of work in concrete and cement rendering on brutalist buildings of that era, including the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool and the Three Tuns in Coventry SP3378 : Aztec camera. He can be seen discussing his work at Hockley on this Youtube video LinkExternal link . His enthusiasm for the project ("The Hockley Flyover was one of the greatest things that ever happened in this country") might not necessarily be shared by people who live in the neighbourhood and have to walk through it regularly.

Flyover and relief sculpture have a certain kind of elemental quality, as if the visitor has come upon a monument erected by a lost civilisation.
by A J Paxton


SP0588 : Subway entrance, Hockley Circus by A J Paxton
This is another brutalist subway entrance with a relief mural by Bill Mitchell; see SP0588 : Hockley Flyover and subway entrance and SP3378 : Aztec camera. We are looking north west towards Soho Hill, with the Hockley Flyover to our right.
by A J Paxton


SP0588 : Hockley Circus, looking towards the Maha Vihara by A J Paxton
For more on Hockley Circus and Flyover, monuments to 1960s road-building brutalism, see SP0588 : Hockley Flyover & Circus, looking towards Newtown, which also comments on the Birmingham Buddhist Maha Vihara temple under construction by a Sri Lankan movement. The temple now has the framework of a pointed stupa. To the right can be seen a subway entrance with one of the relief murals by Bill Mitchell (see SP0588 : Hockley Flyover and subway entrance), described on Google Maps as 'Brutalist Climbing Walls', though that was not their intended use.
by A J Paxton



Street art of a samurai warrior in one of the underpasses.
SP0588 : Subterranean Samurai by A J Paxton
He is one of two samurai warriors decorating the walls of one of the grim subways of Hockley Circus, Birmingham.
by A J Paxton



Coventry Ring Road, junction with Upper Well Street and Radford Road

A mural by the prolific local street art painter Katie Sullivan adorns a concrete support of the ring road. A cycle path has since been inserted here. The pigeons are pure performance art.
SP3379 : Art in the underpass, Coventry ring road by A J Paxton
A mural enlivens a bleak underpass, with its pigeon-perch, under the Coventry Ring Road between Upper Well Street and Radford Road. The mural is the work of Katie Sullivan (Katie-O-Art), whose work can be seen elsewhere in the Coventry area, for example at Earlsdon SP3178 : Mural on side wall of O'Toole's Cafe, Earlsdon Avenue North, Coventry and Bedworth SP3587 : Detail of Bedworth civic mural, Mill Street; note the trademark bee in all three murals.
by A J Paxton



Coventry, The Cullen Murals, Lower Precinct


These ceramic murals date from 1958 and were designed by Thomas Gordon Cullen for the new Coventry Precinct and made by Carter's of Poole. During the redevelopment of the Lower Precinct in 2002 they were moved from the upper end to the lower and reinstalled in a covered way that leads to Lidice Place and Queen Victoria Road. During the move parts of the work were damaged and lost. The mural depicts scenes from the prehistory and history of Coventry. It doesn't dwell on the wartime destruction but offers a vision of hope for the future and an appreciation of the city's past. See the article on the Cullen Tiles on the Coventry Society website LinkExternal link and Robin Stott's shared description on Geograph Link .

First, two images of the murals in their original location.
SP3379 : The Precinct, Coventry in 1961 by Geoff Royle
Fresh as a daisy then, following the post-war redevelopment.
The spire in the background stands above the ruins of the old St.Michaels Cathedral, just one of the many victims of the blitz of 1940.
by Geoff Royle


SP3379 : Medieval map of Coventry by FCG
This ceramic tile representation of John Speed's 1610 'ground plott of Coventre' once decorated the wall of the ramp between the Lower and Upper Precincts. It has since been lost and, if the original was rectangular, part of it had already been lost by the time this photo was taken. It stood opposite a plan of the post-war redeveloped city ( SP3379 : City centre plan ) which was removed to the other end of the Lower Precinct during redevelopment ca. 2000.

The artist unsurprisingly chose not to retain the 69 point annotations on Speed's original and created an abbreviated set of 10 points: 1 Broadgate; 2 St Mary's Hall; 3 The Gates (separately annotated on the original); 4 Smithford Bridge; 5 Hill Street; 6 Cathedral (actually St Michael's church which wasn't a cathedral in 1610); 7 Much Park Street; 8 Swanswell Pool; 9 Greyfriar's Lane; 10 Bablake Church (St John's Church).

SP3379 : The Precinct, Coventry in 1961 shows the original ramp and the photographer's position is just upslope from the position of the murals.
by FCG



This map of postwar Coventry survived the move but with a piece missing.
SP3379 : City centre plan by E Gammie
A tiled mural representing the plan of the city centre after post WW2 redevelopment. It was originally incorporated into the wall of the ramp into the Lower Precinct where it stood opposite SP3379 : Medieval map of Coventry. It was moved to its current location during redevelopment of the Lower Precinct ca. 2000. It has lost a few tiles over the years (I suspect a door was cut into the bottom right) but the road layout is quite clear. The cross hatched areas are the pedestrianised precincts. Compare it with the OS map segment.
by E Gammie



This is the new location. They were designed for sunken or covered walkways but are now in a fully enclosed passageway.
SP3379 : The Cullen Mural in its setting, Coventry by Robin Stott
The mural was relocated around 2000 to this foyer in the Lower Precinct, where there is access with Corporation Street. The Post War Masterplan panel is behind the camera SP3379 : The Cullen Mural, Coventry: Post War Masterplan.
This image ID:7460518
by Robin Stott
Shared Description


SP3379 : The Cullen Mural, Coventry: main length by Robin Stott
The mural makes reference to Coventry's past and present with images of modern buildings, manufactures and historic buildings.
Image ID: 7459890
by Robin Stott
Shared Description


SP3379 : The Cullen Mural, Coventry: left end by Robin Stott SP3379 : The Cullen Mural, Coventry: main length, right by Robin Stott SP3379 : The Cullen Mural, Coventry: main length, middle by Robin Stott SP3379 : The Cullen Mural, Coventry: engine detail by Robin Stott SP3379 : The Cullen Mural, Coventry: main length, left by Robin Stott
KML

( Page 1 2 3 4 )
You are not logged in login | register