Fading city centre art to be repainted in 2027

The large fading piece of artwork in Bristol City Centre is due to be repainted next summer with a more durable material.

The "Our Common Ground" artwork was painted on the floor where the fountains were in September last year but quickly began to fade away.

It was painted with a water-based road line marking paint. Bristol City Council has now decided to use thermoplastics, which was initially discounted as too expensive.

The total budget for the artwork was £61,000, half of which came from the city council.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Andrew Brown, chair of the economy and skills policy committee, said thermoplastic paint would be more reliable.

Thermoplastics are often used for road markings such as white lane dividers and zebra crossings, and can last for several years without needing maintenance.

Brown said: "Research into alternative solutions has been conducted after the initial painted solution was unsuccessful.

"This has identified thermoplastics as a more durable and reliable treatment."

He added the project was "inherited from the previous administration".

The first phase of the revamp will involve cleaning, surface treatment, and testing a small area.

This test phase will apply a thermoplastic solution instead of paint in September or October. It will be left over winter to establish how during it is through the colder and wetter weather.

If the test is successful, the second phase will involve the reinstatement of the full artwork in spring or summer next year, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council originally commissioned Upfest and the artist Oshii to coordinate the painting of the mural. However, it is understood Upfest is no longer involved in the project.

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