One of Ayrshire’s oldest railway tunnels could become a top landmark.
That’s the dream of a new charity who believe an injection of investment could paint the way to a brighter future for the Victorian era pass-through.
Alloway Tunnel Project are seeking to raise £200,000 to transform the dark and dingy tunnel which steam trains once powered through in a bygone age.
The tunnel which dates back to 1901 is now part of an active travel route and is used by cyclists and walkers each day.
But a team of local volunteers have launched their bid to unlock the huge potential of the tunnel which has become plagued with graffiti and anti-social behaviour.
And they have been inspired by Edinburgh project, the Colinton Tunnel – which saw a similar Victorian tunnel transformed into a beacon of colour.
Stuart Bates is one of the Trustees who has pledged to save the grand old tunnel which sits right next to Alloway’s famous attraction of the Burns Birthplace Museum.
The Alloway resident, 70, told Ayrshire Live: “The potential is huge but we need funding. It is going to cost £200,000 to get started, and £10,000 each year to keep it running.
“We’re only just getting started, but we’re so excited about what we can achieve here.”
Lewis Connor, 20, might be 50 years younger than Stuart and some of the trustees, but he’s every bit as passionate about future-proofing the Alloway tunnel.
The former Ayrshire College student has worked alongside his former place of education, getting students involved in the project.
Lewis said: “As a former Ayrshire College student I am very passionate about the project.
“I am a regular user of the path and it is a very unwelcoming atmosphere in the tunnel.
“It has a dark and gloomy appearance compounded by all the graffiti work.
“You could say I’m the beacon of youth in the group and I want to get young people in the community to work with us to help create something Alloway can be proud of.”
The Colinton Tunnel in Scotland's capital had its fortunes transformed in stunning fashion in 2020.
The old steam route once known as the ‘picnic line’ had become a forgotten site in the capital.
But the tunnel was given a new lease of life thanks to artist Chris Rutterford who created Scotland’s largest mural spanning 140 metres.
The mural was also a nod to the past, with Chris’s work inspired by famous Scots writer Robert Louis Stevenson and his poem ‘A view from the railway carriage’.
Now the Alloway charity are confident in repeating the success story.
And they’ve even teamed up with artist Chris who have vowed to bring the poems of Burns to life on the old walls on the tunnel.
Stuart added: “We have saw the amazing work that has been done with Collinton, we’re kind of piggy backing on that idea.
“We want to engage local schools, and we’ve got the Burns museum very much on board as well.”
Artist Chris has lined out his vision to create an ‘immortal memory’ of Burns and will seek to celebrate Ayrshire’s story and history through his work.
You can find out more at www.allowaytunnel.org.uk/how-to-get-involved.
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