Temple Quarter New platforms planned for rail station revamp
ARAFT of changes to Temple Meads station have been announced as part of a major redevelopment project for the city.
Bristol City Council has been working on developing a long-term masterplan for Temple Quarter and St Philips’s Marsh.
Improvements to Temple Meads lay at the heart of the council’s ambitious vision for the area, known as the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.
The Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone was announced by the Government in the March 2011 budget as one of a first wave of 11 Enterprise Zones, designed to boost local growth and create more than 30,000 new jobs by 2015.
The 70-hectare development zone is expected to feature a mixeduse quarter comprising up to 11,000 homes and a revitalised transport interchange near Temple Meads station – as well as a huge upgrade for the station.
Part of the plans include the transformation of disused buildings in Temple Circus into a second Engine Shed and a towering glass office block where the old Grosvenor Hotel currently stands.
Another key part of the project is Temple Island. Part of the site will become home to a new £300m campus for the University of Bristol now that the former sorting office has been demolished.
The other, more controversial, aspect of the site will mostly likely become home to 500 new homes, office blocks, a 350-room hotel and a conference centre.
Bristol City Council has entered into an agreement with Legal &
General to develop the derelict site formerly earmarked for an arena.
The much-maligned Temple Circus roadworks are also a major part of the infrastructure programme for the enterprise zone.
During a scrutiny meeting next week council officers are due to present an update on Bristol Temple Quarter and how the authority’s plans for new homes, offices, schools and infrastructure will come to fruition.
It looks like the proposals for Temple Meads will make up a large part of the presentation. They include improving and building new platforms and improving access and connectivity.
Plans include a new eastern entrance from the station subway to the new university campus as well as creating a northern entrance and gateway by the Friary, which would include an improved transport interchange, and a new southern gateway towards Temple Gate.
Commenting on the plans Sir Peter Hendy, chair of Network Rail, said: “We’ve wanted to improve Temple Meads station for passengers and people passing through the area for a long time.
“We haven’t had the resources to do this on our own, so we’ve grasped a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with Bristol City Council, WECA, Homes England and the University of Bristol to put Temple Meads at the heart of a new urban quarter helping to unlock new homes, jobs, opportunities and connectivity.
“Improvements will make it a 21st-century transport hub by doubling passenger capacity and linking to public transport improvements to reduce congestion, reduce carbon use and make it easier to travel to and around the city.”