In 1982, as part of a major regeneration project led by the Peterborough Development Corporation, Town Artist Francis Gomila created the Link Road mural. With the assistance of art students from Peterborough Technical College, Gomila transformed the wall into a vibrant celebration of the local community.
The mural’s characters were not imagined — they were portraits of real people from the surrounding neighbourhood. Many were residents living on or near the site, invited to be immortalised in paint during friendly conversations with the artist as he worked.
The artwork was dedicated to the memory of Roger Brooks, a City Councillor and Chairman of the Urban Renewal Action Committee. A true champion of his community, Roger played a key role in shaping the area’s renewal. Sadly, he passed away before the mural’s completion. On 23 September 1982, the Mayor of Peterborough officially dedicated the mural in his honour, ensuring his contribution would be remembered for generations.