A planning application for a substantial new multi-storey car park situated just south of Temple Meads station has been submitted to Bristol City Council. The proposed 379-space facility is set to be the focal point of the "Southern Gateway" project, which also includes plans for a dedicated cycle storage hub capable of accommodating over 530 bicycles, fresh bus stops, and enhancements to the Bath Road cycling and walking routes.
The site earmarked for the Southern Gateway is located on Bath Road, immediately south of the River Avon opposite Temple Meads, previously home to a Kwik Fit that shut its doors in 2023. It's set to open in 2028.
In addition to the transport facilities, Network Rail intends to repurpose an old railway line into a pedestrian walkway across the River Avon, improving access to the station for South Bristol residents. The car park design incorporates a new area for vehicle drop-offs and pick-ups, providing an alternative to the existing Station Approach, reports .
Tony Dyer, the Leader of Bristol City Council, said: "The Southern Gateway is more than just a modern, high-quality transport hub, it is essential for the ongoing transformation of the long-neglected area around Bristol Temple Meads station. I'm thrilled to see our plans make it this far and I'm looking forward to seeing construction start."
The Southern Gateway scheme forms a part of the wider Bristol Temple Quarter (BTQ) initiative, a collaborative effort involving Homes England, Bristol City Council, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, and Network Rail, all working together to revitalise the vicinity of the station.
A new eastern entrance at Bristol Temple Meads was completed in September 2024, but it will remain closed until Autumn 2026 to align with the opening of the University of Bristol's £500m Enterprise Campus on the former Royal Mail sorting office site.
Marcus Jones, Western Route Director at Network Rail, said: "When Brunel opened Bristol Temple Meads 185 years ago it was truly world-class with many innovations that are now commonplace at stations everywhere. The station is now going through a transformation to make it an icon once again.
Network Rail says the southern transport hub's objective is to centralise existing parking, which is currently scattered around the station, into one location. This move will free up space to the north of the station at the Friary, Station Approach, and within the Grade I listed Midland Shed, for fresh development, public spaces, and travel routes.
The BTQ programme aims to deliver 10,000 new homes in the vicinity of the station.
Additionally, the roof of Temple Meads station is undergoing refurbishment, with four new or improved entrances being constructed as part of the redevelopment efforts. Karen Mercer, CEO of the BTQ partnership, said: "This is a really exciting moment for Bristol Temple Quarter. Southern Gateway is the first piece in the jigsaw to unlock the new homes, jobs and public spaces that the city needs."
The work forms part of a £95 million Government grant, awarded in 2022, aimed at rejuvenating the Temple Quarter area.
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