Art installations in stations
Introduction
We’re using art installations to involve communities in creating spaces that reflect local heritage while also preventing antisocial behaviour. We’ve installed artwork in 6 stations across Wales and are working with partners to expand this to even more stations.
Well-being goals
At Transport for Wales, we want to create a sense of belonging at our stations, while also promoting safety near the railway. Art is an important part of what connects us to our surroundings, as well as keeping cultures alive and thriving. It’s also a good way of communicating important messages, particularly around deterring trespassing on the railway.
In collaboration with Community Rail Partnerships, British Transport Police, residents, schools and third sector organisations, we have installed art works at Chirk, Swansea, Colwyn Bay, Holyhead, North Llanrwst and Conwy stations.
Creating a sense of ownership and pride has been a key aim of this initiative. Rather than simply being a place from which people commute, by involving young people, we want to bring communities together.
Ways of working
We appreciate the important role that art plays in deterring antisocial behaviour. For example, Conwy station had seen an increase in the cases of trespassing. In response to this, in March 2023 two new graffiti art pieces were installed at the station. Created by local graffiti artist Andy Birch and students from the local secondary school, Ysgol Aberconwy, the pieces cover the inside of two shelters at the station and are inspired by local heritage and culture. One piece depicted a moving train with the messages ‘Don’t risk it!’ and ‘Dio’m werth o!’ (‘It’s not worth it!’), using colloquial Welsh and northern dialects that are reflective of the language spoken by the local community.
By involving local pupils in the design and creation of the artwork, these projects can help to build a sense of pride and ownership in the station and the surrounding area and deter anti-social behaviour. We’ll continue working with our partners to expand the art installations across the wider network.
For TfW, it’s important that our stations feel like a part of the community, and this work has really furthered that. It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to encourage this enthusiasm while also spreading vitally important safety information.
Melanie Lawton
Community Rail Strategy Lead
