Exeter schoolchildren unveil mural celebrating a greener future for the city

Exeter’s drive towards a greener, cleaner future has been given a colourful boost this week, as local schoolchildren unveiled a vibrant new mural at the Honiton Road Park and Ride.

Created by pupils from St Nicholas Primary School, the artwork celebrates sustainability and the future of public transport in Exeter. The mural, themed “Greener Futures,” features imaginative designs by Year 5 students, who were asked to share their visions for how buses and the environment might look in years to come.

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The unveiling marks the completion of recent improvements at the park and ride site, delivered through a partnership between Stagecoach, Devon County Council, and Exeter City Council as part of the Devon Bus Enhanced Partnership. The project comes ahead of the arrival of a brand-new fleet of electric buses later this year.

Stagecoach Managing Director, Peter Knight, said the company was proud to involve the community (especially young people) in celebrating Exeter’s journey toward greener travel.

“We’re proud to work with local schools and communities to highlight the positive impact that sustainable travel can make,” said Mr Knight. 

“Children are our future, and it’s inspiring to see transport and the environment through their eyes. This mural is just one example of how partnership projects like this can make a real difference in our region.”

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said the mural was a fitting way to mark recent upgrades at the site.

“A number of improvements have been made at Honiton Road Park and Ride, including a new long-stay parking area, upgraded shelters, and real-time bus information displays.” 

“This lovely mural by the pupils at St Nicholas Primary School is an excellent way to celebrate those changes and gives us a glimpse into how the next generation sees the future,” she said.

 “Zero-emission transport has a huge role to play in reducing carbon emissions for future generations, and we’re really looking forward to the arrival of electric buses in Devon.”

The new electric buses, part of the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, are expected to begin operating in Exeter later this year. 

They will serve key city routes, including the popular 4 Service, offering quieter, cleaner, and more comfortable journeys while supporting the city’s net-zero ambitions.