By Chris Story

Last updated at 08:31, Tuesday, 12 March 2013

A subway is getting a bright makeover featuring some of Carlisle’s most iconic buildings.

Yvette Earl

Images of places including the castle, cathedral, Old Town Hall, Dixon’s Chimney and Citadel railway station are all to be painted on the Georgian Way subway.

They have been designed by a city art student and will be emblazoned on the underpass linking Strand Road with Lowther Street by an army of people recruited as part of a community project.

Yvette Earl, a third-year illustration student at the University tof Cumbria, is responsible for creating the new look, inspired by historic travel posters of the city.

She has won a competition to spruce up the subway, organised by the University of Cumbria’s Students’ Union and Carlisle City Council, with the support of Cumbria County Council.

And she’s looking forward to seeing her designs become a reality – especially as they are going to be so close to her old school, Trinity.

“I am delighted to win. I’m thrilled to be involved with this project,” the 23-year-old said.

“For the winning designs, I took inspiration from old British Rail travel posters featuring Carlisle.

“The railway is an integral part of the city’s history and something that I feel should be celebrated.

“My designs feature landmarks which I feel represent the city and, in turn, show the respect the citizens of Carlisle have for these beautiful buildings.

“It’s going to be lots of hard work, but the underpass will look fantastic when it’s finished.”

Students who entered the competition had to work on three core themes – respect, excellence and friendship.

Thousands of people walk through the Georgian Way subway every year.

Yvette, who lives on Margery Street, off Greystone Road, added: “The subway needs brightening up. Hopefully the design will represent the city more.”

Civic leaders are pleased the spring clean is taking place. City council leader Joe Hendry said: “We would like to thank all the students who took part in the competition.

“Yvette’s design celebrates Carlisle’s city centre landscape and promotes civic pride. We all look forward to seeing it come to life.”

Tony Markley, the county councillor responsible for highways, added: “This subway is used greatly and is a key link in Carlisle for many pedestrians and cyclists. I’m thrilled that the county council has been able to contribute to making it a more pleasant place to use.”

Initial work on the subway will start soon. Painting will get underway in the week beginning March 25.

Kati Brown, volunteering facilitator at University of Cumbria Students’ Union, is looking forward to the project.

She said: “We’re really excited about the underpass project as it’s a fantastic opportunity for Yvette to put into practice what she has learned on her course and share her art with the people of Carlisle.

“It’s also going to be a brilliant community volunteering project as, with direction from Yvette, we’ll need lots of people to help paint the subways and help bring the art project to life.”

The revamp of the underpass is being carried out on behalf of Cumbria County Council.

Works have been paid for by the county and city councils, with support from Castle ward city councillors Elsie Martlew and Willie Whalen, who contributed money towards it from their individual budgets.

To see more examples of Yvette’s work and her underpass designs, go to www.yvette-earl.co.uk.

First published at 08:26, Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk