Plymouth WW2 street art sign marks worst bombing raids

The mural on Armada Way now features an information board with archive images

An information board has been added to a Plymouth Blitz mural 83 years since the city experienced some of its worst bombing raids.

The mural on Armada Way now features information and archive images from local historian Chris Robinson.

The original work, by street art initiative Plymouth Artists Together, illustrates the city's post-Blitz "rise from the ashes".

Mr Robinson said the piece was "very striking" for people walking past.

The artwork was originally commissioned in 2022 but has since been further developed to make it look more "cohesive".

Mr Robinson said the co-ordinator of Plymouth Artists Together, Mike Vosper, asked for a "potted history" of the impact of the Blitz on Plymouth to accompany the mural.

Plymouth City Council said the heaviest period of bombing occurred in March and April 1941.

It said between 6 July 1940 and 30 April 1944, 1,174 civilians were killed.

The latest addition to the display coincides with some of the worst bombing raids experienced by the city

Mr Robinson said: "There were 602 siren alerts [during World War Two]. There were 59 bombing raids [during World War Two], but there were four raids in particular, two in March 1941 and two in April 1941 which affected Devonport.

"This month is the anniversary really of what was absolutely devastating, so much was lost in those two nights."

Mr Robinson said the partnership between the street art and factual signage made the history "readily available" for members of the public.

Mark Peachey, one of the artists who spray-painted the mural, said the addition was a "great idea" and "it gives it a stamp of authenticity, and makes it a proper major piece of public art".