Bristol Temple Meads works

[Western Sunset]

Where the TMD used to be. I note there's a new bridge to access the site, but the rest looks pretty desolate at the mo.

 

[Benjwri]

Where the TMD used to be. I note there's a new bridge to access the site, but the rest looks pretty desolate at the mo.

Nothing really happened since last round of engagement in October, and no further timeframe has been given beyond the last 'Winter 2023/24' for a final round of engagement, and spring 2024 for a planning application. More details on the plans here.

Proposals for Temple Island are for a mixed-use scheme that could bring new homes, offices and commercial space to the area, as well as a new hotel and conference facility. In the north of the site, new student accommodation linked to the University of Bristol’s new Enterprise Campus is proposed. Our ambition is to bring this derelict brownfield land back to life and create a vibrant place to spend time in the day and evening.

Planning permission was given for enabling works last year, I'm not sure if that has happened yet. The very north of the site is owned by the University of Bristol and will be a 20 storey student accomodation for the new campus on the other side of the river. I believe they have outline planning permission for this already.

The footbridge is not to do with this, it was built a while ago when a stadium was planned on the site, plans of which are long abandoned. It is perhaps a valuable reminder to the council about building infrastructure for projects which are yet to be finished, as it now stands as a £3 million embarrasment bridge to nowhere, with no firm plans for the site it leads to.

 

[Western Sunset]

Nothing really happened since last round of engagement in October, and no further timeframe has been given beyond the last 'Winter 2023/24' for a final round of engagement, and spring 2024 for a planning application. More details on the plans here.

Cheers, thaks.

 

[Benjwri]

In other Temple Meads news, Network Rail has applied for Listed Building Consent to move the British Transport Police into the Lower Passenger Shed (Pre existing building underneath the Passenger Shed itself, which is uesed as an events venue). This is to leave space for the retail works, aiming to improve retail provision in the station, to use the current BTP site on Platform 3. Application availble here for those interested.

Refurbishment and alteration including internal subdivision and external fenced compound at the Lower Passenger Shed to relocate Transport Police within the railway station complex.

 

[The exile]

Where the TMD used to be. I note there's a new bridge to access the site, but the rest looks pretty desolate at the mo.

Would imagine that the TMD site will require very expensive decontamination.

 

[Benjwri]

Would imagine that the TMD site will require very expensive decontamination.

There as already been a fairly substantial amount of decontamination which occured when the site was being prepared for the arena. There is however still fairly substantial work to do, some estimates putting the costs of getting the land ready (This includes losts of other works to do with drainage, infrastructure and public works as well) at £32million. I wouldn't be overly surprised if the site remains undeveloped into the 2030s, its entire history has been an embarassment, and in fact the investigation into mishandling of it ended with the council pretty much saying an investigation was too much effort.

 

[Tomos y Tanc]

I wouldn't be overly surprised if the site remains undeveloped into the 2030s, its entire history has been an embarassment, and in fact the investigation into mishandling of it ended with the council pretty much saying an investigation was too much effort.

I don't follow Bristol politics much being from the other side of the Severn Sea but Marvin Rees appears to have been a bit of a disaster all round.

Having an eastern entrance to TM could be a game-changer though. The upgrade to Cardiff Central's southern entrance has been a catalyst for change in what was a very dingy and derelict area. I should imagine the same will be true of TM.

 

[John R]

I don't follow Bristol politics much being from the other side of the Severn Sea but Marvin Rees appears to have been a bit of a disaster all round.

Anyone who thinks that Bristol can afford a tunnelled metro is away with the fairies in my opinion. It is hard enough getting funding for any above surface metro type operation for a city of Bristol's size, let alone that involves tunnelling. He's a bit like a dog with a bone about it, but fortunately his time is drawing to a close.

 

[Annetts key]

Bristol has a long standing problem. Traffic congestion is terrible. Unfortunately it also has a public transport problem (and that's not including First Bus having trouble retaining and recruiting enough drivers). And nowhere near enough money for a proper solution.

Over the years, the lines of route of the previous disused railway lines have been compromised by being sold off and built on, so even attempting to reinstate these for a surface metro system would be expensive. Let alone finding and funding new routes.

Bristol at one time had an extensive tram system. Again, developments make providing a new tram system expensive. And even if this was tried, there would likely be political problems from disgruntled motorists. And trouble with road vehicles blocking the tram lines.

This is the reason why the expensive option of a mostly underground metro system (at least in the city area) was looked at. It may be the most expensive option, but bizarrely the most practical.

However, even if the relevant local councils combined efforts, there is no way they could fund a mostly underground metro system.

I don't see any significant solution without a large pot of money being made available from central government. And I'm not expecting that anytime soon...

Back to the railways...

There's also the former Kwik Fit site, which IIRC will feature a new MSCP and another entrance to the station via a bridge next to the tracks towards platform 4 ('Southern Gateway')

I'm not sure that a new entrance towards platform 4 will actually happen. Unless your train arrives or leaves on platform 3 or 4, you still have to walk all the way to the subway to get to the other platforms.

A new path along the eastern side of the railway from Bath Road bridge (steps and a ramp to modern standards) plus another path from Cattle Market Road/Feeder Road to the new eastern entrance may be a better idea.

Don't reply in this topic, please post your comments in this new topic I've just created.

 

[The exile]

Bristol has a long standing problem. Traffic congestion is terrible. Unfortunately it also has a public transport problem (and that's not including First Bus having trouble retaining and recruiting enough drivers). And nowhere near enough money for a proper solution.

Over the years, the lines of route of the previous disused railway lines have been compromised by being sold off and built on, so even attempting to reinstate these for a surface metro system would be expensive. Let alone finding and funding new routes.

Bristol at one time had an extensive tram system. Again, developments make providing a new tram system expensive. And even if this was tried, there would likely be political problems from disgruntled motorists. And trouble with road vehicles blocking the tram lines.

This is the reason why the expensive option of a mostly underground metro system (at least in the city area) was looked at. It may be the most expensive option, but bizarrely the most practical.

However, even if the relevant local councils combined efforts, there is no way they could fund a mostly underground metro system.

It is to be hoped that the development of the Site where the derelict Grosvenor Hotel and George & Railway doesn’t block the alignment of the line that formerly ran between them. It would currently not be that difficult to run a tram train route from the platform 1 side of Temple Meads between the two buildings then past Redcliffe using what is now the car park. From there you’re almost at the Centre (albeit requiring a bit of ingenuity to actually get there)

 

[John R]

It is to be hoped that the development of the Site where the derelict Grosvenor Hotel and George & Railway doesn’t block the alignment of the line that formerly ran between them. It would currently not be that difficult to run a tram train route from the platform 1 side of Temple Meads between the two buildings then past Redcliffe using what is now the car park. From there you’re almost at the Centre (albeit requiring a bit of ingenuity to actually get there)

I’ve thought that for a long time. I’m sure you could run a battery tram through Queen Square reasonably sympathetically.

 

[edwin_m]

It is to be hoped that the development of the Site where the derelict Grosvenor Hotel and George & Railway doesn’t block the alignment of the line that formerly ran between them. It would currently not be that difficult to run a tram train route from the platform 1 side of Temple Meads between the two buildings then past Redcliffe using what is now the car park. From there you’re almost at the Centre (albeit requiring a bit of ingenuity to actually get there)

I’ve thought that for a long time. I’m sure you could run a battery tram through Queen Square reasonably sympathetically.

The very route I proposed when my employer was part of a consortium looking at this circa 1997. It foundered on Railtrack's problems and on disagreements between Bristol council and South Gloucestershire council. But I'm pretty sure nobody would have agreed to Queen Square.

 

[John R]

But I'm pretty sure nobody would have agreed to Queen Square.

A tram with no overhead lines and with the tracks grassed should be perfectly acceptable. The fact that you suggest (probably correctly) that there would be huge resistance says a lot about why we have difficulty with infrastructure projects. (See also: Sydney Gardens, Bath).

 

[Snow1964]

A webpage and map of alternative buses has now been made available for the 9 day period Saturday 20th to Sunday 28th January (starts 3 weeks time), a full line closure also applies following weekend 3-4 Feb. (So 11/16 days closed)

Trains are suspended Bristol TM to Weston super Mare

No Rail replacement buses for Parson Street or Bedminster for the 11 closure days

Planned Engineering Work and Disruption | Great Western Railway

Find out about planned engineering works, travel disruption and changes to Great Western Railway's published train timetables here.

www.gwr.com

 

[Snow1964]

Network Rail have issued update on Bristol area works

Regarding work south west of station in January, seems timber sleepers are being used, but are expected to be replaced by concrete ones 2 years later

Preparations are underway for a nine-day refurbishment of Bristol West Junction, which lies between Bristol Temple Meads and Bedminster station.

The bulk of the track refurbishment takes place 20 – 28 January, when we will be working 24/7 to replace old rail, crossings and points, along with the wooden beams they sit on (bearers) and sleepers.

Components are being delivered to our Temple Gate compound from late November and follow up work will run up until the end of March 2024.

Wooden bearers and sleepers need to be used on a like for like basis, as we are only able to renew parts of the junction at present. When we complete the full renewal of the junction in a couple of years’ time we will replace these with modern concrete components, ensuring the wooden materials are used elsewhere on the railway.

Update on roof is

Work has been continuing steadily on the refurbishment of the main train shed roof and platform canopies at Bristol Temple Meads. More than 1,250 steel work repairs have been completed so far in the area where the safety deck is positioned, along with work to restore and repaint the woodwork. Both of the gable ends have been fully encapsulated and are being restored alongside.

We’re gearing up to start glazing the roof where we’ve been working and once that’s complete we’ll move to the next section, working through grit-blasting, repairs, repainting and glazing.

On overnight shifts we are continuing the restoration of the platform canopies, carrying out steelwork repairs where required and repainting – including the ‘daggerboards’ that line the canopy edges

Not just ex GWR part of station, work on Midland shed too

We are planning the refurbishment of rooms within the Midland Shed, so they can be turned into new retail units. This work is supported by a £500,000 Railway Heritage Trust grant. A separate project will complete repairs to the Midland Shed roof and install new guttering.

Passenger Shed renovations are also being planned, with a particular focus on the roof, guttering and repairs to internal floors and the ceiling. The lower level is being renovated to create updated office space as a new home for British Transport Police.

Bristol Rail Regeneration - Network Rail

Building a brighter future for Bristol’s railway Ashley Down station opened Ashley Down station in Bristol opened to the public...

www.networkrail.co.uk

 

[Annetts key]

Yeah, earlier plans included completely relaying Bristol West Junction (a big scheme similar the Bristol East Junction relaying) including replacing all the existing HW 2000 type point machines with HPSS (High Performance Switch System) also sometimes known as HPSA (High Performance Switch Actuator) points. HPSA is the "point machine". HPSS refers to the HPSA and the power-link back drive (known locally as the "scaffold tube"). This HPSS system includes replacing all sleepers, the new sleepers being concrete apart from the metal one that houses the HPSA drive.

But they currently don't have the money for this.

Note that the existing HW 2000 type point machines are not the original point machines. All the original 1970s HW 55 type point machine were replaced with HW 2000 type point machines over the last ten years.

The parts that are worn are the P.Way components. The existing wood sleepers, and in places, the chairs, fixings and rails. Some of the plain line is already on concrete sleepers.

 

[Snow1964]

Seems a Limited Liability Partnership has been created for works around Bristol Temple Meads, the partners are pooling land (which includes the old Bath Road depot)

The Bristol Temple Quarter Limited Liability Partnership (BTQLLP) was incorporated on 25 March 2024. This move formalises the longstanding collaborative approach taken by partners: Bristol City Council, Homes England, Network Rail, and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. Operating as a joint venture, BTQLLP will include each partner as a member.

Setting up the company adds further momentum to the Bristol Temple Quarter programme, which aims to deliver 10,000 new homes, thousands of new jobs, and new and improved sustainable infrastructure and public spaces across 130 hectares of central Bristol.

Construction of a new entrance to Bristol Temple Meads station is already underway, alongside works at Temple Island, Silverthorne Lane, and the University of Bristol’s Enterprise Campus on Cattle Market Road.

Creating the organisation will enable Bristol Temple Quarter to be driven forward by a single public sector body. Each of the partners has agreed to pool its land in the Phase 1 area around Bristol Temple Meads station, meaning that the right development can take place in the best locations, transforming the area comprehensively, rather than on a plot-by-plot basis.

Later this year, the BTQLLP will begin the process of selecting a Development Partner to work with it to deliver new housing, commercial space, and infrastructure in the Phase 1 area.

As a publicly owned company, the BTQLLP will remain democratically accountable, with representatives from Bristol City Council and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

Bristol Temple Quarter Limited Liability Partnership incorporated

A new organisation has been established to drive forward the extensive regeneration of Bristol Temple Quarter.

www.gov.uk

 

[Annetts key]

Temple Quarter (the former undercover goods yard) would have been an excellent place for a bus and metro interchange, right next to Temple Meads station. But alas, opportunity wasted.

Homes England have been sitting on some of this land for years....

 

[Barclay]

Temple Quarter (the former undercover goods yard) would have been an excellent place for a bus and metro interchange, right next to Temple Meads station. But alas, opportunity wasted.

Homes England have been sitting on some of this land for years....

I'm not sure Friary is the best place for a bus interchange. Would Bristol & Exeter Yard, the sunken area off the ramp where Hart's Bakery sits, not be preferable? There's direct access from the subway, or you could put a lift from the station forecourt. That way the buses, the taxis, and the station entrance would all be next to each other. Plus it'd be close to the entrance to the forthcoming multi-storey car park/cycle store on the Kwik-Fit site, accessed via the milk dock.

 

[lachlan]

I'm not sure Friary is the best place for a bus interchange. Would Bristol & Exeter Yard, the sunken area off the ramp where Hart's Bakery sits, not be preferable? There's direct access from the subway, or you could put a lift from the station forecourt. That way the buses, the taxis, and the station entrance would all be next to each other. Plus it'd be close to the entrance to the forthcoming multi-storey car park/cycle store on the Kwik-Fit site, accessed via the milk dock.

I was under the impression the plan was to do away with the bus interchange and just keep the buses on the main road. Not great for bus users but I've generally found Temple Meads to be in an awkward position for the bus network anyway and in most cases I've walked, got a lift or continued my journey on the Severn Beach line instead.

 

[Hellzapoppin]

The area around B&E house is private land now and nothing to do with NR.

 

[Snow1964]

Network Rail has revealed frame for new eastern entrance is now assembled

Building of a new £23m Eastern Entrance at Bristol Temple Meads station is moving forward at pace, with the structure’s frame now complete.

The main structural steel frame of the building has been fully installed, standing six metres high and 20 metres wide in the Cattle Market Road compound, with the top visible from platform 15.

It was delivered at the end of March and was fitted together on site, with contractor BAM Nuttall working around Storm Kathleen to get the steelwork in place.

The first stage of fitting out has now begun, with the glazing and cladding to follow over the coming months. The building will be opened alongside the new University of Bristol Enterprise Campus in 2026.

Starting on site at the end of 2023, the entrance construction has included extending the subway by excavating through the retaining wall and underneath platforms 13 and 15, followed by drainage and foundations work.

The construction of the new entrance is part of the Bristol Temple Quarter programme, one of the largest and most ambitious regeneration programmes in Europe, which aims to deliver thousands of new homes, jobs and opportunities for Bristol and the West of England.

The Eastern Entrance is one of three new entrances to the station funded by £94.7m of Government funding secured by the Temple Quarter partners in 2022. It will connect Bristol Temple Meads to the new University of Bristol Enterprise Campus.

Bristol Temple Meads station’s £23m Eastern Entrance reaches construction milestone

Building of a new £23m Eastern Entrance at Bristol Temple Meads station is moving forward at pace, with the structure’s frame now complete.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

 

[Russel]

I'll be passing through Birstol with an hour to spare in August, so it'll be interesting to see what has changed since my last visit in August 23.

 

[lachlan]

I'll be passing through Birstol with an hour to spare in August, so it'll be interesting to see what has changed since my last visit in August 23.

The new entrance is behind a temporary wall so nothing is visible from inside the station, though you may get a view from platform level if there isn't a train in the way

 

[Russel]

The new entrance is behind a temporary wall so nothing is visible from inside the station, though you may get a view from platform level if there isn't a train in the way

Is the glass trainshed still hidden behind scaffolding?

 

[John R]

Is the glass trainshed still hidden behind scaffolding?

Yep! Although I am pleased to say that the glazed areas on some of the other platform awnings are being cleaned. Some of them were completely covered in moss as long as twenty years ago and have never let any light through as long as I have known the station.

 

[The exile]

Noticed today (first visit in a month) that the scaffolding deck now extends the whole way through the trainshed (ie the two ends now meet in the middle.) Some of the glass panels removed from the roof and people in orange visible from the outside working on the roof. First time I’ve actually seen anything happening (though fully aware that a lot has been going on at night and out of sight!!!)