Monday 16 Jun 2025
Young artists transform Ashton-under-Lyne Station with vibrant new murals
- Region & Route:
- Eastern
Ashton-under-Lyne station has received a colourful new makeover, thanks to the creativity of local students and the inspiration of a well-known local artist.
Customers at Ashton-under-Lyne station are now greeted by a striking new display of artwork created by pupils from St Damian’s RC College and Great Academy Ashton. Each piece tells a personal story of what the area means to them - from local landmarks to everyday moments – bringing a sense of pride and place to the station.
The project, part of ‘Routes to Roots: a platform for art’, was led by Mossley-based artist Chris Cyprus, who mentored the 14 students through the artistic process, helping them channel their ideas and talents into permanent pieces for their community to enjoy.
Chris Cyprus, the artist leading the project, said:
“I’m really proud to see these incredible artworks come to life at Ashton-under-Lyne station, right at the heart of the town.
“The students taking part in the Routes to Roots project have done themselves, their schools, and their communities proud. Their creativity reflects the spirit of our area, and I hope they carry that pride with them into the future as they make their individual journeys.
“These artworks will stand as a lasting celebration of local talent, inspiring everyone who passes through – residents and visitors alike – for years to come.”
Funded by Transpennine Route Upgrade’s (TRU) First and Last Mile Scheme, the initiative is designed to enhance the entire journey experience - not just on the train, but on the way to and from stations. Ashton-under-Lyne is the second station to benefit from Routes to Roots, following a similar installation at Greenfield. The project leaves a long-lasting legacy of creativity and colour while celebrating the pride local young people have in their community.
Rachel Blake, Sponsor for TRU, said:
“We’re delighted to unveil the next collection of Routes to Roots artwork as part of our First and Last Mile Scheme.
“The pupils, guided by Chris Cyprus’ expertise, have made a long-lasting change to Ashton-under-Lyne station today. Their artwork looks fantastic and their creative potential, along with their pride in their town, is clear to see.”
Sarah Morgan, Regional Community & Sustainability Manager for Northern, said:
“This work has really brought a community feel to the station, and people travelling to and through it can now see the inspirational artworks on show.
“We’d like to say thank you to everyone involved in this project – Chris, TRU, and of course the schoolchildren, for brightening the station up.”
Notes to Editors
- Our workforce is local, with 80% employment from within a 40-mile radius of the route, and 60% employed from within a 25-mile radius.
- With a current workforce of around 5000 people, we expect to employ 8000 people over the length of the programme.
- The halfway mark of employing 590 apprentices has already been achieved, with over 360 now working on TRU
- Improved natural environments near the railway through 10% biodiversity net gain across the route. This will create or enhance habitats for wildlife.
- The multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) will bring this line into the 21st century with 70-miles of fully electric, digital railway.
Our plans include:
- Electrifying the whole route between Manchester and York via Huddersfield and
Leeds - Installing a new digital signalling system along the Transpennine route
- Doubling the number of tracks from two to four between Huddersfield and
Westtown in Dewsbury. - Station improvements along the route to enhance customer experience, comfort
and accessibility - Improving the railway on diversionary routes to allow more trains to run, helping
passengers and freight on the move while the core Transpennine route is closed to
deliver essential upgrades. This will provide capacity and reliability improvements
for the future too.
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Ewan Bayliss
Communications Executive
Network Rail
ewan.bayliss@networkrail.co.uk
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