A new community mural, created by local artist Helen Thompson, has officially opened on the recently improved Towpath Trail near Junction 36.
Located in a formally gloomy underpass, the mural has created a new lease of life and complements recent towpath surface improvements in the area.
The mural was co-designed with students from Storth Primary School who, via a workshop with the artist, were encouraged to think about the different ways the Towpath Trail can be enjoyed and appreciated. The students’ designs can be found within the mural under the themes of ‘Appreciate, Cycle, Paddle, Walk, Access and Enjoy’.
The local Scout group from Sedgwick also contributed to the design by creating a giant butterfly, visible at the south entrance of the underpass.
The mural themes reflect the Towpath Trail website (www.lancastercanaltowpathtrail.co.uk) where information about how to enjoy the Towpath Trial is shared.
David Faulkner, Chair of the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership opened the mural and said;
‘Thanks to the funding from Westmorland and Furness Council, via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the Lancaster Regeneration Partnership this mural has successfully transformed the underpass. Helen Thompson’s creative skills are evident and we thank her for all her hard work in completing both the workshops and the mural. Thanks also to all the children who have got involved, we hope you all return to the Towpath Trail to enjoy it!’
