A brand-new mural that’s gone up in Digbeth is now giving 50% off rail travel to the capital. London Northwestern Railway (LNR) has partnered with local artist Joshua Billingham (aka Gent 48) to create a striking new artwork in Birmingham’s creative heart—and it features a QR code inviting people to ‘Scan for Smarter Travel’
Created as part of LNR’s latest campaign, the mural hopes to blend seamlessly into Digbeth’s already celebrated street art scene. The artwork contrasts the experience of travelling on one of LNR’s new Class 730 trains with the congestion and noise often associated with travelling by road.
Integrated naturally into the mural is a QR code, which allows visitors to interact with the artwork while accessing a limited-time offer of 50% off rail travel to London. But for Gent 48, the collaboration was an opportunity to demonstrate how brands can work authentically with local artists and their culture and identity.
“Graffiti has always been about communicating ideas through bold colour and visual storytelling, so it felt like a natural way to express the campaign’s message,” he said. “For me, this project shows how public art can connect communities, just as rail connects places.”
Gent 48 has spent more than 25 years in graffiti, illustration and large-scale mural painting, and is known for combining expressive characters, bold line work and vibrant colour. London Northwestern Railway services operate between Liverpool and Birmingham, and on the West Coast Main Line to and from London Euston.
The mural is now on display in Digbeth.
