Wildlife art project planned for Stockport town centre footbridge

Following a funding award from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Green Spaces Fund, Cheshire Wildlife Trust are leading on a transformation of the Thomson Street Bridge in Stockport town centre.

The pedestrian and cycle bridge over the railway line, which opened in late 2022 as part of the Bee Network of active travel routes, connects Edgeley and Stockport town centre and is one of three spaces where artwork and new planting will help to make it more appealing for both people and wildlife.

The project forms part of Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s wider Rewilding Stockport project, funded by the Heritage National Lottery Fund, and is being supported by partner organisations Stockport Council; art and health charity, Arc; Avanti West Coast; and the Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership.

Design has been inspired by workshops run by Arc with a number of local community groups and organisations including students from Stockport College. Artist, Caroline Coates, has taken inspiration from the views of young people in the town to create the artwork, which is yet to be unveiled.

Holly Woosey, Wilder Communities Officer at Cheshire Wildlife Trust said:

“It is going to be so good to see these three areas coming to life through this project. It has been great working with artists from Arc to see what their creativity can bring to the Thomson Street Bridge. I won’t give too much away just yet, but the artwork captures exactly how I envisage Stockport in the future, with wildlife in amongst the town centre. I’d really like for local people to keep an eye on the artwork and see how it develops through the painting sessions coming up.”

Annette Naor Hilton, Creative Wellbeing Lead at Arc said:

“We’re delighted to be involved in the bridge mural project, which has provided an exciting opportunity for Stockport residents to put their mark on their home town in a public piece of art. Arc associate artist, Caroline Coates, worked with a broad range of local people, young and old, to develop the mural design, from school pupils and college students to a wide variety of local families and community groups. The final mural is a wonderful celebration of Stockport green spaces and places, shaped both conceptually and artistically by the local community. “

Lisa Magee, Avanti West Coast Team Leader at Stockport, said:

“We want to champion causes that matter most to the communities we serve, so we’re excited to be joining local people to help transform the bridge and support Cheshire Wildlife Trust in sharing their vision for Stockport. We hope this wonderful mural will brighten the pedestrian and cycle route to the station inspiring people to take small actions that can help the town’s wildlife, and help the charity’s aspirations to become a reality.”