The giant new mural bringing Salford's history to life under a city bridge

A new mural created by three local artists has been unveiled at East Ordsall Lane Bridge. Evan Barlow, Russell Meehan and Tasha Whittle created the piece of art that makes a nod to famous landmarks and themes from Salford’s rich history.

The mural spans across nearly 320m2 of the wall surface under the bridge structure. The design was shaped through workshops with community groups and local organisations, ensuring the final piece reflects the voices, ideas and heritage of people across the neighbourhood.

The mural forms part of the wider Islington Active Neighbourhood Scheme, which is delivering highway improvements, new landscaping and lighting upgrades set to continue throughout the summer. 

As well as brightening the walls of the bridge, the project includes new architectural lighting and a major clean‑up of the space to make walking and cycling through the area safer, more welcoming and accessible.

The area is also increasingly recognised as part of a new and emerging makers district, centred around a growing network of independent studios, workshops and creative spaces across Salford. Anchored by places such as Hotbed Press, Islington Mill and Paradise Works and supported by a vibrant community of artists, designers and makers, this evolving cluster is helping to shape a distinctive identity for the neighbourhood, where creativity, production and cultural activity are visible in the public realm.

Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Sports and Leisure at Salford City Council, said:

“This used to be a very dark and uninviting space, but working together, the three artists have created a mural that celebrates Islington’s unique heritage. It brings bold colour, warmth and character to the area, while showcasing the history and identity that make this part of Salford so special.

“It is wonderful that local people and organisations were able to influence what is featured. The result is fantastic – and perfectly timed as Salford is celebrating its centenary year as a city.”

Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said:

"It is great to see the completion of the work Salford City Council have done to refurbish the underpass located within the Islington Active Neighbourhood. 

“This new location for sustainable urban living, is being built to ensure that residents can enjoy a quiet and peaceful neighbourhood, within a few minutes of all the amenities of the regional centre. It is a highly desirable place to call home and thanks to the walking, cycling and public transport connectivity, the people and businesses who live here can easily get around.

“The mural at the bridge will also add to the welcome of this newly lit walking and cycling space and I am looking forward to visiting and cycling through there when everything is complete."

Organisations involved in the art workshops included: 

• St Philip's Primary School
• The Angel Centre
• Innit For Young People (I4YPC)
• Ordsall Community Arts
• Jak’s World – suicide prevention
• Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society
• Islington Mill
• Islington residents

The following landmarks/ locations/ ideas/ themes/ iconography were identified in discussion with ward councillors for the artists to explore during workshops with local groups/organisations:

• Islington Mill
• Vikings - Over 1000 years ago, Vikings used to rule the lands we now call Salford (Ordsall Art Centre)
• Battle of Bexley Square and working class movement
• Working Class Movement Library
• May Day workers’ marches
• Docks, canal, Middlewoood Locks
• Nature & wildlife – what is the local flora and fauna heritage.
• The name of Salford derives from Old English: Sealhford, meaning a ford by the willows, (also known as sallows), in reference to the trees growing on the banks of the River Irwell
• Vimto building
• Music scene, “Sounds from the other city” festival

Following completion of the mural works, a second phase of the project – the Islington Active Neighbourhood – is expected to begin construction in the summer, subject to the necessary approvals. The scheme will help transform the area by creating more welcoming streets for residents, businesses and visitors, while reducing through traffic between Chapel Street and Oldfield Road.

This will be achieved through the introduction of modal filters, which allow people walking, wheeling and cycling to move freely while preventing general traffic from using local streets as a shortcut. The changes are set to deliver quieter, safer streets, improved air quality and a better environment for the community. The proposals were shaped by public consultation in 2020, with strong support from residents who took part.