Phil Spark was commissioned by Lithgow Tidy Towns to design a concept using pipes which, when mounted on the wall, will encourage people to talk to each other through them.

The idea is not new; all children have, at some stage, connected a length of wire between two empty tin cans and had conversations with one another.

Whispering Lane is constructed on the same principle, only it’s done with pipes.

The pipes, at 22 metres in length, are being attached to the wall of the Antique Shop which runs between Main Street and the Mort Street car park.

To encourage conversations Tim Johnman from the Lithgow Pottery has made an artificial ear for each end of the pipe.

This is a fun, permanent laneway display which is hoped will draw families and visitors into the Main Street.

A second stage is also being fine-tuned.

This stage will incorporate hundreds of sounds coming through another pipe attached to the wall.

Anyone wanting to take time to listen will hear a new sound every time.

It will be a solar-powered installation.

Lithgow Tidy Town’s Artists Committee is working on proposals for other laneways in the Main Street area.

The group is very grateful to Westfund Health and Clarence Colliery for their sponsorship towards the project.

“Our committee has planned and had many conversations with interested people over the last two years,” chairperson of Lithgow Tidy Towns Mrs Sue Graves said.

“We were very fortunate to connect with many local artists who also want to focus on great outcomes for our local community.

“It is exciting to see their plans coming to reality,” she said.

Watch out for more laneway projects; three more are in the pipeline.