Plans for a new multi-storey car park and cycle hub near Temple Meads train station have received approval. However, cyclists may face a temporary ban from using the cycle hub for up to two years owing to road safety concerns and the narrow shared pavement along the bridge crossing the Avon.
The Southern Gateway "multi-modal transport hub" will feature a seven-storey car park offering 379 spaces alongside a three-storey cycle hub, providing secure bicycle storage facilities. Councillors on planning committee A gave unanimous approval to the proposals on Wednesday, November 5.
It marks the initial planning application from the Temple Quarter company, established to facilitate collaboration between the council, the West of England Combined Authority, Network Rail and Homes England on regenerating the area. The development will be constructed at the base of the A4 Bath Road.
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Nick Finney, planning manager at Bristol Temple Quarter LLP, said: "This is the first critical piece of the jigsaw, delivering on proposals long set out. We have worked closely in partnership with Network Rail on this scheme and this is one of a number of upcoming station improvement projects that will deliver a step-change in accessing facilities at the station."
The multi-storey car park will replace the existing facility north of the station. However, transport department officials have raised concerns that the Southern Gateway could result in increased pedestrian and cyclist traffic along the narrow Bath Road pavement.
This shared pathway requires both cyclists and pedestrians to use the limited space adjacent to a busy thoroughfare.
Council staff warn that additional journeys generated by the new cycle hub could heighten the risk of fatal or serious accidents. Whilst a new cycle lane will be constructed outside the Southern Gateway, the narrow shared path will remain in place north and south of the location until alternative funding can be secured to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure.
Authorities are considering constructing a new bridge across the River Avon dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists. The council is allocating £712,000 from a Department for Transport grant towards developing an outline business case for the bridge.
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Under an optimistic timeline, the bridge could be completed and operational within four years.
Construction on the Southern Gateway is scheduled to start next June, with a two-year completion timeline. An alternative proposal involves temporarily closing a lane along the A4 Bath Road, though this would prove "contentious".
Should that prove unfeasible, the council would consider "mothballing" the new cycle hub until the bridge is built. The facility will accommodate 538 bicycles across three storeys connected by ramps.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Andrew Varney said: "That would be incredibly frustrating for cyclists to have this fantastic new facility, and they can't use it. That wouldn't go down well in terms of PR."
Green Councillor Abi Finch said: "At the moment along the pavement there is a very meagre cycle lane. I would agree that the better option is the temporary closure of one lane. I generally don't cycle to the station if I'm away from Bristol for more than one night, because I don't feel safe to leave my bike overnight. So I really welcome having a secure cycle facility. It's quite exciting."
Cyclists would need to pay a fee to secure their bikes in the hub, though the exact cost remains undisclosed. The advantage, according to officials, is "increased security", as access would be restricted to paying customers only.
British Transport Police announced earlier this autumn that CCTV footage of bicycle thefts outside stations would not be reviewed if bikes had been locked up for longer than two hours.
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Labour Councillor Katja Hornchen said: "Do you really have to charge for cycle parking? I've been trying to look in Europe where they have cycle parking, and they don't charge for it anywhere except in Britain.
"Are we going to be known as the country that charges for cycle parking?"
Drivers will now be able to use both the Southern Gateway and the Friary for drop-offs and pick-ups, located to the north of Temple Meads. For security reasons, the main entrance on Station Approach will no longer serve as a drop-off point.
The northern car park is set for a revamp, with new buildings and bus stops in the pipeline.
Following the meeting, Karen Mercer, Chief Executive of Bristol Temple Quarter, said: "Southern Gateway is the first piece in the jigsaw to unlock the new homes, jobs and public spaces that the city needs. This resolution to grant planning permission means we can move into delivery at Temple Quarter, which is what the Bristol Temple Quarter LLP was created to do.
"I'd like to thank the BTQ LLP partners and Network Rail for their hard work and continued support to get us to this point. Starting on site at Southern Gateway next year will be the first in a series of milestones for the project in 2026, and I can't wait for us to get started."
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, added: "This planning permission brings us a step closer to turning Bristol Temple Quarter into somewhere that people in our region can be really proud of, and that works for them.
"The transformation of the station itself will complement our work with partners to deliver new stations at North Filton, Portishead, and elsewhere, helping to bring more new jobs and economic growth to the West."