The construction of a new entrance at Bristol Temple Meads station marks a major development in the Temple Quarter regeneration.
- This new entrance, forming part of a £25m project, aims to accommodate an estimated 2.5 million annual users.
- The project is part of a broader scheme to revitalise over 130 hectares, creating homes, jobs, and commercial spaces.
- The construction involves complex engineering feats, including subterranean work under operational railway lines.
- The new entrance is crucial for the anticipated increase in passenger numbers due to the adjacent Enterprise Campus.
The ambitious construction of a new entrance to Bristol Temple Meads station represents a key milestone in the area’s comprehensive regeneration plan, which seeks to transform over 130 hectares of brownfield land under the ‘Temple Quarter’ banner over the next 25 years. This initiative aims to deliver 10,000 new homes and create 22,000 jobs, significantly boosting the local economy.
Situated on the eastern side, the site of the new entrance had been underutilized, overshadowed by a derelict postal sorting office that has since been demolished. The new facilities are designed to address the anticipated passenger increase stemming from the University of Bristol’s Enterprise Campus, a car-free project focused on digital, business, and social innovation.
Construction of the Eastern Entrance involves a highly challenging location, squeezed between a reinforced track bed and new campus buildings. Strategic planning allowed Bam Nuttall to execute the structural work during a station blockade, preventing disruptions to rail service by incorporating contiguous pile walls to stabilise the site. The new entrance links into the existing subterranean system, ensuring seamless connectivity for passengers across the station.
Phase one of the project capitalised on the Bristol East Junction blockade, facilitating necessary track lifting and the installation of structural components. The second phase, ongoing since October 2023, includes precise demolition and tunnelling work to expand the current subway, incorporating a significant volume of excavation to accommodate the new structure.
The new entrance building is characterised by its steel-framed structure, integrated with robust security features. Designed under ‘all line running’ conditions, the construction ensures minimal impact on active rail services, displaying meticulous planning and execution reflective of modern engineering practices.
Bristol Temple Meads’ developments underline a significant stride toward enhanced transport infrastructure and urban regeneration.
