The longest mural in the UK has been completed as part of Sefton’s School Neighbourhood project which aims to make journeys to school safer, while creating a more inviting local environment for walking, wheeling and cycling.
The mural, painted by Merseyside’s Paul Curtis took six weeks to complete and is 160m long, and totals about 480sqm and spans the length of the Cinder Path in Bootle.
The large mural, totalling the same area as two tennis pitches, makes the Cinder Path nicer, which connects Thomas Gray and All Saints Primary School, was one of the improvements highlighted as part of significant engagement undertaken as part of the Bootle North Park School Neighbourhoods Project.
Sefton Council has undertaken litter picking, cutting back weeds, upgrading street lighting, and most notably, commissioned a mural to brighten up the path. Workshops were held in both primary schools and the pupils submitted their designs for the mural. Themes in their submissions including greenery, wildlife, and the environment. A second workshop gave the pupils a chance to vote on their favourite design, and work started on the mural on 7th July.
Cllr Phil Hart, Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways, said:
“The School Neighbourhood approach is our innovative approach to the national School Streets initiative. We take that idea of improving active travel to schools and take a more flexible approach, looking at the wider area as a whole, and include the pupils themselves and implementing changes that they want and need.
“This approach benefits the wider community as well, because local journeys and routes are improved for everyone who uses them.”
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Paul Curtis, Artist said:
“Working with the pupils to bring joy to what was a bit of a dingey alley and make that walk to school feel safer and more fun and interesting is really rewarding. It was great to have them be part of the design process. Public artworks often create a sense of pride and ownership in a local area so I hope this painting has that effect too.”
“Even before it was completed, we had such lovely feedback and I’ve been really looking forward to the pupils seeing it now that they’re back to school.”
Avril Sanderson, Principal Urban Designer at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust said:
“The North Park project reflects Walk Wheel Cycle Trust’s vision of a world where it is possible for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle; for better air quality, safer school runs and healthier, happier residents. Our engagement work with schools and community groups has been central to the project, so we are delighted for the pupils at All Saints and Thomas Gray Primary Schools that one of their design ideas will be brought to life and contribute to making the school journey a happier one.”
The work has been funded as part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) to improve active travel infrastructure. The Council has been working to improve local active travel journeys across the borough.
Following the engagement work for the School Neighbourhood project, Sefton will see further changes being implemented later this year, including road safety improvements. The school neighbourhood approach is starting to be rolled out across the borough as the Council continues to work with more schools.
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