Busy pedestrian route in Castleford gets major artistic upgrade
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Wakefield Council has unveiled a bright and colourful new public mural at Tickle Cock Bridge in Castleford.
The work – by Yorkshire based artist Emmeline North - is inspired by the heritage and natural environment of the town. It is the latest phase of the project to transform key routes between the train station and the town centre.
“This new piece of public art, commissioned especially for Tickle Cock Bridge, includes colourful painted designs on the walls of the tunnel, the entrance points and seating. It has totally transformed this busy route, creating a brighter, more attractive link to the town centre.”
Cllr Denise Jeffery
Leader of Wakefield Council
“This is just part of a series of improvements in the town this year. We’ll be improving the town centre. Supporting our high street businesses. Carrying out more work on the riverside. And helping people get around town better. People will see a lot of activity.”
Cllr Jack Hemingway
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth
The artwork also includes a new poem that celebrates the heritage of the town.
The final design was put together following a series of community led workshops. The artist also worked with Castleford Academy and carried out other community engagement activity in the town.
The project is being fully funded by Transpennine Route Upgrade’s First and Last Mile programme, which has included upgrades to various areas around Castleford train station. These have included resurfacing the Station Road approach, installing better street lighting, adding additional CCTV cameras to improve security, adding new planters and three new public art projects.
Welbeck Street was the first area to benefit from new artwork, followed by the striking new upgrade to Tickle Cock Bridge. And work is continuing to finalise designs for a new public mural for the Beancroft Subway.