Milton Keynes Station Square – 3,000m²
A vibrant floor mural in Milton Keynes measuring over 3,000 square meters, requiring a long-lasting, non-slip solution to withstand heavy footfall.
A vibrant floor mural in Milton Keynes measuring over 3,000 square meters, requiring a long-lasting, non-slip solution to withstand heavy footfall.
Project Overview
Polycote were approached by The London Mural Company and the Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) to contribute the product and installation of a new floor mural. Located in Station Square, directly outside Milton Keynes Central Station, the ‘Walk With Your Dreams‘ mural was designed by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori and captures the city’s vibrant multicultural identity and visionary spirit.
Polycote were approached by The London Mural Company and the Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) to contribute the product and installation of a new floor mural. Located in Station Square, directly outside Milton Keynes Central Station, the ‘Walk With Your Dreams‘ mural was designed by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori and captures the city’s vibrant multicultural identity and visionary spirit.
Specification
February 2025
The London Mural Company (LMC) approached Polycote with a computer-generated image of Yinka Ilori’s proposed mural, requesting a technical specification suitable for newly laid tarmac at Milton Keynes Central Station. The challenge was to ensure that any oils released from the fresh surface would be properly contained and would not compromise the adhesion or durability of the mural.
March and April 2025
Polycote collaborated closely with both LMC and Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) to fine-tune the specification. The final design brief required a weather-resistant tarmac coating that would retain its colour despite constant exposure to the elements, a robust primer that would provide a stable foundation, an anti-slip solution capable of handling heavy foot traffic, and an anti-graffiti system to protect the artwork long term.
June 2025
Polycote had developed a bespoke colour palette to complement Yinka Ilori’s vibrant design. A sample board containing 13 custom RAL colours was presented, and MKDP visited our head office to finalise both the product selection and the exact colour shades that would be used for the project.
July 2025
Our technical team carried out an on-site inspection to assess the substrate and confirm that the proposed coating system would perform as expected on the new tarmac surface. This pre-installation assessment helped verify suitability and ensured that the groundwork was properly prepared ahead of application.
August 2025
The final order was placed, and Polycote began manufacturing the bespoke products – our biggest order of raw materials to date. In total, 6,400kg of Quick Coat EP were produced in 13 custom colours, each carefully matched to Yinka Ilori’s original design. Additionally, 936kg of OT Floor Primer were supplied to guarantee strong adhesion, along with 730kg of Graffitex – a water-based, anti-graffiti coating designed to protect the finished mural from damage and UV degradation.
September 2025
Installation commenced with Shier Coatings, one of Polycote’s approved installers. The preparation process involved sanding the entire tarmac surface using STR floor preparation machines sourced from Multi-Hire. This provided a mechanical key to ensure strong adhesion and to draw out oils from the substrate, preventing any bubbling of the topcoat. The area was swept regularly to remove dust and debris before applying OT Primer – our oil-tolerant primer that effectively sealed in any residual contaminants from the fresh tarmac.
Once priming was complete, a white base layer of Quick Coat EP was applied to ensure that the vivid mural colours would not be dulled by the black tarmac beneath. A yellow base coat was then laid down to form the central circular flower and outer ring, followed by successive overlays of blue, green, and purple. This layering process ensured full colour saturation and optimal coverage. The mural was then sealed with two coats of Graffitex – a UV-stable, clear protective coating that included a polymer bead aggregate to provide an anti-slip finish, ensuring both safety and long-term durability.
October 2025
Shier Coatings worked through the night, finishing the final touches by 3 a.m. to meet the unveiling deadline. On 2nd October 2025, the Yinka Ilori mural, titled Walk With Your Dreams, was officially launched at Milton Keynes Central Station – marking the largest floor mural in the UK and a landmark achievement for both Polycote and the city.
February 2025
The London Mural Company (LMC) approached Polycote with a computer-generated image of Yinka Ilori’s proposed mural, requesting a technical specification suitable for newly laid tarmac at Milton Keynes Central Station. The challenge was to ensure that any oils released from the fresh surface would be properly contained and would not compromise the adhesion or durability of the mural.
March and April 2025
Polycote collaborated closely with both LMC and Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) to fine-tune the specification. The final design brief required a weather-resistant tarmac coating that would retain its colour despite constant exposure to the elements, a robust primer that would provide a stable foundation, an anti-slip solution capable of handling heavy foot traffic, and an anti-graffiti system to protect the artwork long term.
June 2025
Polycote had developed a bespoke colour palette to complement Yinka Ilori’s vibrant design. A sample board containing 13 custom RAL colours was presented, and MKDP visited our head office to finalise both the product selection and the exact colour shades that would be used for the project.
July 2025
Our technical team carried out an on-site inspection to assess the substrate and confirm that the proposed coating system would perform as expected on the new tarmac surface. This pre-installation assessment helped verify suitability and ensured that the groundwork was properly prepared ahead of application.
August 2025
The final order was placed, and Polycote began manufacturing the bespoke products – our biggest order of raw materials to date. In total, 6,400kg of Quick Coat EP were produced in 13 custom colours, each carefully matched to Yinka Ilori’s original design. Additionally, 936kg of OT Floor Primer were supplied to guarantee strong adhesion, along with 730kg of Graffitex – a water-based, anti-graffiti coating designed to protect the finished mural from damage and UV degradation.
September 2025
Installation commenced with Shier Coatings, one of Polycote’s approved installers. The preparation process involved sanding the entire tarmac surface using STR floor preparation machines sourced from Multi-Hire. This provided a mechanical key to ensure strong adhesion and to draw out oils from the substrate, preventing any bubbling of the topcoat. The area was swept regularly to remove dust and debris before applying OT Primer – our oil-tolerant primer that effectively sealed in any residual contaminants from the fresh tarmac.
Once priming was complete, a white base layer of Quick Coat EP was applied to ensure that the vivid mural colours would not be dulled by the black tarmac beneath. A yellow base coat was then laid down to form the central circular flower and outer ring, followed by successive overlays of blue, green, and purple. This layering process ensured full colour saturation and optimal coverage. The mural was then sealed with two coats of Graffitex – a UV-stable, clear protective coating that included a polymer bead aggregate to provide an anti-slip finish, ensuring both safety and long-term durability.
October 2025
Shier Coatings worked through the night, finishing the final touches by 3 a.m. to meet the unveiling deadline. On 2nd October 2025, the Yinka Ilori mural, titled Walk With Your Dreams, was officially launched at Milton Keynes Central Station – marking the largest floor mural in the UK and a landmark achievement for both Polycote and the city.
Challenges
- Large, complex design: Required meticulous material planning.
- High footfall area: Installation had to be completed quickly and efficiently.
- Adverse weather: Team managed rain and temperature changes to maintain optimal application conditions.
- Debris: Landscaping in the area caused significant debris that required constant sweeping.
- Multiple stakeholders: Detailed coordination needed to ensure all teams remained informed and aligned.
- Large, complex design: Required meticulous material planning.
- High footfall area: Installation had to be completed quickly and efficiently.
- Adverse weather: Team managed rain and temperature changes to maintain optimal application conditions.
- Debris: Landscaping in the area caused significant debris that required constant sweeping.
- Multiple stakeholders: Detailed coordination needed to ensure all teams remained informed and aligned.
Outcome
The result is a striking 3,000m² landmark for Milton Keynes, designed to endure the elements and welcome millions of Central Station visitors for years to come.
Credit: Chris Henley
The result is a striking 3,000m² landmark for Milton Keynes, designed to endure the elements and welcome millions of Central Station visitors for years to come.
Credit: Chris Henley
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