This page includes this link to the artists own photgraphic record of the work in progress. https://photos.app.goo.gl/HEeusptLzDBRxWsT9
A chance meeting on the Solar System Greenway leld to the commissioning of the two artists – Tom and Mairanny – bieng commissioned by york Greenways to complete a themed mural on the entrance and walls os the underpass that leads under the Tadcaster Road from the Askham Bar Park and Ride into the Trans Pennine Trail and National Cycle Network traffic free paths linking York and Selby.
This underpass had been a focus of vandalism and anti-social behaviour that deterred potential users of this important ‘gateway’. Over the years York Greenways has worked with the local authority to install lighting, resurface the path and provide litter bins which we empty on a regular basis. Permission was obtained from the City of York Highways dpeartment to undertake the artwork and funding was granted by the Friends of the Trans Pennne Trail and York’ City-wide Ward Fund.
In 2024 York Greenways teamed up with St Nicks Environmental Resource Centre to include this area in their Urban Green Corridor project that linking it to the city centre and Askham Bog. It is now part ofthe national Nature Recovery Strategy. York Greenways is plannng to publish a walking route from the City Walls across the Knavesmire and out to Askham Bog.
Tom Williams was raised in Bishopthorpe and as a teenager contributed to the artwork encouraged by Sustrans under the A64 leading to a continued career as a street artist. Mairanny is an artist and content creator on a visiting artist visa from Brazil. More of her work can be found on line https://mairanny.co.uk/