Have you visited Stockport station recently?

A painting by Debbie Goldsmith (whose studio is in the restored building at Goostrey station) has helped to transform the dominating wall along the pavement at the Edgeley approach.

The project was led by two Community Rail Partnerships – South East Manchester and Crewe to Manchester.

The theme was a View from a Train Window. Those leading the project were inspired by the recesses in the wall which resemble both train windows and picture frames. This fitted with wanting to promote train travel as well as brightening up the entrance to the station.

Many groups and individuals were involved including college students, primary school pupils, a mental health charity and professional artists, like Debbie Goldsmith. This ensured that a wide variety of artwork was included.

It also gave as many people as possible a sense of involvement and ownership of the project. The artists used a number of different techniques including watercolours, acrylic paints and collage. In order to be displayed, all the artwork was digitised and printed onto composite panels.

There have been lots of positive comments about the difference it has made to the station approach. The proud organisers hope the 50 pieces of artwork will start conversations, evoke memories of previous train journeys and encourage people to plan more travel by train. A short video can be watched on the Stockport Tourism Facebook page