A Nine Elms bridge has been brought to life after a stunning new artwork was unveiled

The transformation of the Thessaly Road railway bridge by artist Yinka Ilori at a ‘Happy Streets’ community festival.

The project is the outcome of a design competition in partnership with London Festival of Architecture as part of a package of work to improve the public realm around Thessaly Road.

Residents and visitors gave the bridge a thumbs up on July 13 as they followed a marching band and giant puppet underneath the colourful artwork.

In creating the design, Yinka sought to encourage users of the underpass to become more aware of the environment around them.

"I am really honoured and blessed to have my first public realm project installed in Nine Elms," he said.

"The most important part of the project was talking to the community, especially the young children and seeing the smiles on their faces when they walk under the bridge has been magical.

"I just hope this bridge continues to bring happiness to everyone who walks under Happy Street and inspires the next generation of young artists because they are the future.”

Together with the team at Wandsworth Council, Yinka worked closely during the development of the project with residents and nearby St George’s C of E Primary School.

Leader of the council Ravi Govindia said: "I am delighted that this Nine Elms rail bridge has been so successfully transformed into a colourful gateway – together with Yinka Ilori we listened to community concerns and worked closely with local residents and St George's school to ensure we delivered a design that they would be happy living next to.

"This was a unique project to bring art and transport infrastructure together and has been a huge achievement to get finished just one year after the design competition, thanks to close working with our local partners, Network Rail and London Festival of Architecture.

"I hope that what we see here gives fresh inspiration to re-imagine London's built environment and consider incorporating art into other structures around us."