Network Rail has announced that a milestone has been reached in the construction of a new entrance at Bristol Temple Meads Station.
This milestone sees the completion of the frame for the building, with this standing at six metres high and 20 metres wide. The project is costing £23 million and comes as part of the Temple Quarter programme of regeneration – one of the largest and most ambitious projects of its kind in Europe.
Daniel Round, Network Rail’s industry programme director, said:
“Our forecasts show that by 2030 – only four years after opening – 2.5 million people a year will be using this new entrance in and out of the station. That will make a real difference and really open up this part of the city to new rail passengers, as well as to our existing customers.”
Contractor BAM Nuttall worked to get the steelwork put into place after the frame was delivered at the end of March, and the project has now moved onto the first stage of fitting out. This will see glazing and cladding put in over the course of the next few months, ahead of the building being opened in 2026.
West of England Metro Mayor, Dan Norris, also commented:
“I’m thrilled to see this brand-new entrance for Brunel’s iconic station taking shape.
“It’s all part of one of the most exciting regeneration projects in Europe, which I’m proud is being administered by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and will create a real gateway to the region.
Three new entrances will be constructed as part of the wider project, with government funding worth £94.7 million being secured before the project began.
Image credit: Network Rail
Video credit: Network Rail
