Bristol’s new Ashley Down train station has broken ground with construction, confirmed by Dan Norris, the region’s metro mayor.
This construction project comes as piece of the MetroWest Phase 2 project, a package of new stations that will be delivered in the region, over the coming years.
This new station will be built on Station Road, with completion currently planned for 2024, covering the line between Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood, seeing services eventually running to the new YTL Arena in Filton.
To accommodate for safety throughout the construction period, there has been a necessary road closure to a part of Concorde Way that runs through Ashley Down. The closure began this past Monday, currently scheduled to last at least a year, with the possibility for an extended closure, dependent upon delays with construction.
Throughout the construction process local residents will endure a year of travel disruptions, though steps have been implemented to reduce this where possible, shown through the hotly contested diversionary route near Muller Road.
Councillor Don Alexander, council cabinet member for transport, addressed these disruption concerns, saying:
“I would like to thank everyone for bearing with us throughout the temporary closure of Concorde Way.
“I know it's a popular route for walking and cycling but it will all be worth it in the end, when we have a brand-new railway station for everyone in the surrounding area to use.”
The site of the new station was previously the home of Ashley Hill Station, which was forced into closure in 1964 due to the Beeching cuts of the time, which resulted in the closure to thousands of miles of track and over 2,300 stations throughout the decade.
Mr Norris spoke about the historical importance of this “reverse Beeching” as he stated:
"The last time there was a station here, man hadn't yet stepped on the moon.
"Improving public transport is so important to help people get from A to B in the West of England, and to meet our ambitious net-zero targets locally."
Want to know more about the opportunities to become a key supplier to the UK rail industry? Attend TransCityRail and access an exclusive marketplace of buyers from Network Rail, HS2, Train Operators, Major Contractors, and all other tiers of the supply chain. For more information and to secure your place click here.
