Media centre

Thursday 27 May 2021

Iconic murals at Malden Manor, Chessington North and Tolworth brighten up South West London

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Network Rail has joined forces with celebrated street artist Lionel Stanhope and the Sunray Egmont Community Residents Association (SECRA) to brighten up communities across South West London.

Lionel Stanhope, a street artist known for his distinctive typography, has helped transform railway structures across London and beyond, and once again lent his talents to paint three eye-catching murals – a community garden at Malden Manor station and bridges at Chessington North and Tolworth.

The bold design at Malden Manor, located directly above the station garden to the right of the railway bridge has been created for residents and commuters alike to enhance pride in the local area.

The bridge structures at Chessington North and Tolworth show Lionel’s iconic typography which has impressed local residents and passengers who use the nearby train stations.

Lionel Stanhope said: “I’m really excited to be part of this project and help transform three communities that are close to my heart. I hope my work will inspire pride and encourage people to respect railway bridges and other structures.”

Mark Killick, Network Rail Wessex route director, said: “We are delighted to support the project to install murals at Malden Manor, Tolworth and Chessington North. These new public art pieces will make a positive difference to the local area and are a great demonstration of how the railway and the local community can work together. 

“Network Rail is always looking to enhance the railway and by working with stakeholders and community groups, everyone can benefit from this partnership.”

Paula Aldridge, Community Rail Manager for South Western Railway said: “The murals at Malden Manor, Tolworth and Chessington North are an eye catching improvement to these stations and we’re very pleased to have been able to work with station adopters, local residents, Network Rail and Lionel Stanhope to help create a better sense of community and station identity.”

Simon Green, Sunray Egmont Community Residents Association said: “Residents who use Malden Manor train station are delighted by the recent improvements to the local station. For a number of years, the area around the station was in decline until the residents with support from South Western Railway have been able to implement some exciting new changes.

"Recent improvements include a mini station garden in 2017/18 before taking over the abandoned newsagent’s kiosk and creating a local community hub in 2019. Thanks to a very generous donation from Network Rail, residents were able to engage local artist Lionel Stanhope to utilise his signature design.

“We are honoured that Malden Manor was the first choice in this project and look forward to seeing the others which are proposed along the rest of the line.”