Middlesbrough’s approach to the town centre has been given a striking visual upgrade after a section beneath the A66 flyover was transformed with public art, decorative lighting and improvements to nearby open spaces.
Creative Places project aims to make Exchange Walk more welcoming
The works sit within the council-backed Creative Places programme and are centred on the Exchange Walk area close to Middlesbrough railway station. The initiative is intended to make the space more welcoming to visitors and supportive of surrounding businesses.
The scheme has been led by community arts organisation Navigator North and developed using heritage research carried out with volunteers from Teesside Archives. Murals stretching along Wilson Street now line the archways beneath the flyover, while new lighting has been installed to improve visibility and ambience.
"Navigator North has a track record of bringing artists and other organisations together to make lasting change in our town,"
Councillor Philippa Storey, deputy mayor and executive member for culture, said the project illustrated how investment in creativity could have practical benefits for the town centre as Middlesbrough bids for UK City of Culture 2029 and prepares for its 200th birthday in 2030. She added:
"Using our funding from government, Creative Places will continue to focus on improving public spaces and attracting more visitors."
What the project delivered
- Large-scale murals along Wilson Street beneath the A66 flyover
- Decorative and improved lighting to enhance safety and atmosphere
- Upgrades to nearby open spaces intended to support local businesses
- Heritage-led research in partnership with volunteers at Teesside Archives
The murals build on Navigator North’s earlier WE SHALL BE programme, which featured public artwork inspired by Middlesbrough’s "Erimus" motto on either side of the A66. Council leaders presented the current works as part of a broader strategy to use visible improvements to encourage footfall and boost perceptions of the town centre.
| Project | Lead partner | Funding source |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Places – Exchange Walk improvements | Navigator North | Government Pride in Place Impact Fund |
Local traders and residents are likely to watch closely to see whether the aesthetic enhancements translate into increased visitor numbers and trade. The council frames the work as part of an ongoing programme of public realm improvements designed to make Middlesbrough a more attractive and resilient town centre.
While the project is promotional in tone, the practical elements—lighting and cleared, improved spaces—should also help with everyday issues of visibility and pedestrian comfort around the station approach. As the town prepares bids and celebrations over the coming years, these kinds of visible, tangible interventions are being positioned by the council as foundational elements in reshaping perceptions of Middlesbrough.
