Temple Meads, City Gateway and Friary North

Within the full framework document these 3 areas, Bristol Temple Meads, City Gateway and Friary North, are most advanced in terms of planning. Most of these areas are covered by the existing Spatial Framework and form part of the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. Some of the plans are represented as masterplans in the Development Framework.

Temple Meads, City Gateway and Friary North. Larger version of map

A funding bid to central government of £94.7m was recently awarded to the Temple Quarter Project to take forward some of the work covered by these areas, particularly around Bristol Temple Meads station, including new and improved station entrances. As a result, some of the proposals are more set but there are opportunities for the public to help shape some of the detail particularly around public spaces.

The 3 character areas in the Development Framework have been combined for this summary as there are significant crossovers in their purpose and how they relate to each other. Central to this combined area is Bristol Temple Meads Station.

Temple Meads Station and Bristol and Exeter House

Bristol Temple Meads

Our shared vision for Bristol Temple Meads is to create a modern, safe, and efficient experience for passengers, making it a hub for various modes of transportation, while preserving and celebrating the station's unique heritage.

Bristol Temple Meads will be fully accessible and inclusive for all passengers and will be future-proofed to accommodate anticipated growth. The station will be easily navigated and more accessible from the surrounding area.

Artist impression of Temple Meads, Northern Entrance. Larger version of map

City Gateway

The area surrounding Temple Meads will be a landmark city gateway, a fitting welcome to the city of Bristol at one end of the Brunel Mile. By putting passenger experience first, the new gateway will offer a first-class interchange enabling accessible onward journeys to and from the station, with improved passenger travel routes, and increased retail in a safe environment.

Friary North

The aim for Friary North is to create a distinctive street that celebrates Bristol and complements the improved station interchange. This area will be transformed to provide a lively destination, a place to live, work and enjoy leisure time during the day and the evening. By capitalising on the sustainable travel opportunities, the aim is to attract people, businesses, activity and investment. The public realm will be safe, inclusive and attractive, responding to the local context and connecting with Bristol's wider travel network.

These plans will make a significant contribution to Bristol's aims to be net zero by 2030.

Artist impression of Friary North.

Bristol Temple Meads station is nationally significant and is used by millions of passengers annually. It's a major point of entry to Bristol and a key hub where people can change to a different form of transport.

Bristol Temple Meads station has seen a significant increase in passenger numbers over the last 10 years. This is due to population growth, economic growth and a shift towards railway travel. To increase capacity, additional peak time ticket gates were introduced at 2 alternative locations at the station. However, platforms, the subway and ticket gates can still become congested during busy periods. There are opportunities for more improvements, sensitive to the Grade 1 listed status of the station, that will encourage and accommodate further growth in railway travel and offer a better passenger experience.

The lack of shops is also often raised as an issue in passenger satisfaction surveys. The outside environment is dominated by motor vehicles. There are many opportunities to reconfigure the station to better serve the needs of its users and make the station more accessible.

Movement and navigation by foot, bicycle, bus or car is challenging around the station. There's also inadequate provision of disabled parking spaces, cycle parking and accessible walking routes. This is partially because the station is surrounded by physical barriers, including the River Avon, Floating Harbour and Temple Gate road.

Friary North, to the north of the station, is currently largely used as surface car parking, but has potential to provide public spaces, improved accessibility and new development for homes and jobs, subject to the relocation of station car parking to the Southern Gateway.

Friary North.

Midland Shed.

Station Approach.

Friary North.

Bristol Temple Meads station is of the highest national historical significance. The original Brunel station of 1839-41, the newer Digby Wyatt joint station of 1865-78 and the Main Shed and Culverhouse Extension are all Grade I listed. The nearby Bristol & Exeter House is Grade II* listed. In addition, there are nearby areas with potential archaeological significance, such as the Portwall, the line of the former 14th century Temple Pipe Conduit and the Cholera Burial Ground.

The historic character of the station should be used as a positive force in the development and implementation of the masterplan, helping to create a successful future identity that draws on the site's past, its character and distinctive sense of place.

Bristol Temple Meads.

Development Context

The station and surrounding rail network are already undergoing a programme of investment to enhance capacity, reliability and passenger experience. This includes the refurbishment of the station roof, a station rewire and construction of a new Eastern Entrance.

Existing planning policy supports the enhancement of Bristol Temple Meads as a major transport interchange. Current policies also promote the growth and regeneration of this area for a wide range of uses, including offices, residential, retail and leisure.

There are several development projects planned which will enhance the station's role as a key city gateway. Not all of these have been submitted for planning permission or approved. However, they have formed a key consideration in looking at options. Examples include the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, Temple Square adjacent to the Temple Quarter area, Temple Island and the currently empty land next to Meads Reach Bridge in the Friary.

Bristol Temple Meads station is being transformed to improve rail access to and from Bristol and the region, celebrate the station's unique heritage and create a world class transport hub for millions of passengers each year.

New and enhanced station entrances

Proposed new entrances to the east (Eastern Entrance) and south (Southern Gateway), as well as improvements to the Northern Entrance and Station Approach will make it much easier to access the station from all parts of the city.

Accessible to all

Enhanced platforms, better wayfinding and other internal improvements will help to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and enable the station to be truly accessible to everyone.

A world-class gateway to the region

An enhanced station environment and improved public spaces surrounding it will make Bristol Temple Meads station a much more enjoyable place to travel through and visit. Hospitality and event spaces where people can meet, visit and socialise will make the station a thriving destination in its own right, giving a sense of arrival for visitors to the city.

Enabling development

Investment in the station, transport infrastructure and the surrounding area will enable a range of residential and mixed-use development that creates new jobs, new business opportunities and new and affordable housing.

City Gateway Interventions.

The illustration above shows a bird's eye view of how the area could change. It includes:

1. Northern Entrance
2. Creation of a new public square
3. New bus interchange on the Friary
4. Midland Shed retail and ticketing facilities
5. Pedestrianisation of Isambard Walk, between the Friary and the Square off Temple Back East, and a new station drop-off
6. New Friary North development
7. New Station Approach square
8. Brunel Mile Connection
9. Southern Gateway
10. Eastern Entrance

Creating an integrated transport hub

Improved retail, ticketing and passenger facilities, alongside easy connections for pedestrians, cyclists and all forms of public transport, will make it easier to travel around the city and across the wider region.

The key requirements for the area include:

• seamless interchange between different modes of transport
• outside public spaces
• pedestrian and cycle connectivity, and cycle parking
• a diverse mix of activities at different times of day
• new architectural buildings to define the space
• new business and residential space

A dispersed approach to transport is proposed. This means that onward travel would be spread around the Bristol Temple Meads Station area to provide clear, accessible options for passengers and to minimise conflict and congestion at the station.

The figure below shows the proposed overall transport interchange, detailed routes and stops for different modes of transport:

Proposed transport interchange.

The figure below shows onward journey options detailing approximately how long it would take to get to different routes and travel options:

Onward Journey Options.

Our vision is for Bristol Temple Meads to become a fitting gateway to Bristol and the West of England. It will support vibrant development in the surrounding area, with sustainable transport at its heart, supporting the city's ambition to be zero carbon by 2030.

There are a number of major opportunities for change:

Northern Entrance and Terrace

Artist impression of the new Northern Entrance to Temple Meads.

The Northern Entrance, accessed from Friary North, is currently used by the majority of passengers. A new Northern Entrance will enhance Bristol Temple Meads' role as a gateway to the city and will become an attractive public space. Combined with a new terrace to the north of the Midland Shed, the Northern Entrance will improve passenger routes and give Bristol Temple Meads the public realm the historic station deserves.

There are options for new openings into the Midland Shed to provide a logical route through to the new concourse, ticket sales area and ticket gates to the platforms. Further design work is needed to determine the best solution.

The redesigned Northern Entrance and outside terrace could provide:

• an architectural entrance and public realm befitting the heritage of the station
• improve capacity for the anticipated growth in passenger numbers
• sight lines and signage for onward travel, such as bus stops on the Friary and vehicle drop-off on Temple Back East
• an open terrace to give space to pause and make decisions
• convenient step-free access between the different levels of surrounding areas
• opportunities for small permanent or temporary units, such as a 'Welcome to Bristol' hub or small retail stands
• emergency vehicle access

The illustration above shows the Northern Entrance and terrace. It includes:

1. Refurbished Midland Shed
2. New Northern Entrance
3. Platform 0 and 1, canopy and facade
4. Potential reinstated clock tower spire for enhanced wayfinding and civic presence
5. Consolidated central concourse served by Northern Entrance and Station Approach Entrance
6. New terrace
7. New 6 car platforms 0 and 1
8. Enhanced unpaid passenger links through existing ticket hall, clock tower and Bonaparte's Alley
9. Renewed Station Approach forecourt
10. New entrance formed through 3 arches of Midland Shed
11. New widened and enhanced northern access

Station Approach

Artist impression of Station Approach.

Station Approach is the area outside the main entrance to Bristol Temple Meads Station and the masterplan seeks to provide a more pleasant and safer place that complements the historic setting of the station.

The key objectives for Station Approach are to:

• make it easier and safer for passengers to use
• provide an efficient travel interchange
• create a public forecourt which celebrates the historic facade of Bristol Temple Meads Station

The forecourt outside the entrance can be expanded to create a generous station square. This arrangement not only de-clutters and improves the setting of the Grade I listed station but also improves security and creates potential opportunities for retail in the facing buildings.

Bus stops will be relocated to the Friary, while existing hackney carriage use will be retained on Station Approach. The proposed layout is likely to be similar to what's there now, with a main rank and feeder rank at the top. At the top of the ramp, a dedicated area of Blue Badge parking will be provided with step-free access to the concourse. Other private vehicles will not be permitted to use the ramp. Emergency vehicle access to the forecourt will also be provided, potentially through removable bollards.

Friary North

Friary North.

Friary North will complement the improved station and transport interchange around Bristol Temple Meads. Our ambition is to make Friary North a destination to work, live and enjoy leisure time throughout the day and evening. Priority will be given to walking, cycling and public transport over private vehicles.

Southern end of Friary North

The southern portion of this site, adjacent to Passenger Shed and Temple Gate Highway, will include the culmination of the Brunel Mile.

Artist impression of southern end of Friary North.

At the heart of the area will be a new public space that will create a sense of arrival in Bristol. This pedestrianised destination will be a safe and calm oasis in a busy urban environment. Green landscaping, walking routes, seating and meeting places will sit alongside spaces for pop-up events and public art. New retail, food and beverage outlets are proposed to enhance the space.

As part of the creation of the new civic square, the ground floor Passenger Shed frontage could be reactivated to complement similar use in the surrounding development. Parking would be removed to improve safety and the public realm, with station parking relocated to the Southern Gateway.

A multi-storey office space and new residential units will be built to embrace the regional connectivity of the site.

Northern end of Friary North

The northern portion of this site is a key pedestrian and cycle route from Meads Reach Bridge. The vision for the area is a predominantly vehicle-free space.

A new residential building would enable sustainable, city centre living. Nearby, just outside the regeneration area, a proposed hotel, apart-hotel and new homes on land owned by Homes England would complement the transformation of Friary North into a thriving mixed-use destination next to Bristol Temple Meads station.

Some controlled access for servicing and emergency vehicles will be required for new buildings and the station.

Summary of plans for Friary North

This masterplan for Friary North proposes:

• relocation of the bus stops from Station Approach to the south end of the Friary, including bus shelters
• generous, pleasant walking routes throughout the area
• a new civic space at the south end of the Friary, celebrating the historic Passenger Shed
• an improved passenger experience, including lighting, seating and landscaping
• a continuous cycle route between Meads Reach Bridge and Temple Gate
• sheltered, secure cycle parking
• a private car drop-off loop from Temple Back East
• improved highway surfacing and signage to provide clarity between pedestrians, cycles and cars
• new development buildings, including housing and offices with restaurants and cafes at ground floor level
• district heating

Potential land use and development sites. Larger version of map

The map above details the potential land use and development sites described above. It includes:

1. Step-free access (options) to Northern Entrance and grade change
2. Railway access point
3. New 6-car platforms 0/1, facade, canopy and signal box demolition
4. Goods yard public open space
5. Passenger Shed refurbishment
6. Potential mass transit hub
7. Refurbished Midland Shed
8. New northern forecourt and consolidated central concourse served by new Northern Entrance and Station Approach entrance
9. Renewed Station Approach forecourt
10. New terrace with stepped gardens

Southern Gateway

Southern Gateway.

The proposed Southern Gateway is located across Cattle Market Road and the River Avon, on the Bath Road (A4).

This site is proposed as a new transport hub to access the station from the south of the city, with facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and cars. The proposal includes the relocation of station parking currently at the Friary and in the Midland Shed to a new multi-storey car park at the Southern Gateway. This is crucial to unlock the transformation of areas currently occupied by parking.

The new hub will be accessed by pedestrians, cyclists and cars from Bath Road.

There's potential to link the site to the station with a direct pedestrian access across the River Avon at railway level, using underused railway track. This would improve access to the station, providing a direct route in from the south.

The new Southern Gateway would provide secure cycle parking, car parking (including for electric vehicles) and step-free access to the station.

Further work is needed to develop the requirements and design of the building.

Midland Shed

Revitalising the Midland Shed will provide new facilities, retail spaces and wayfinding to enhance the passenger experience and aid onward travel.

The northern end of the shed could form part of a larger, centralised public station concourse, including train departure boards and space for potential new platforms, subject to funding.

The remainder of the Midland Shed presents opportunities for convenience retail. This could potentially include new frontages onto the Station Approach ramp. Other new facilities could include public toilets.

This masterplan proposes options for new pedestrian routes into and through the Midland Shed to improve accessibility.

The northern end of the Midland Shed is currently open. Further work is required to determine the design of enclosure at this end and its interface with the Northern Entrance to provide a suitable internal environment. Structural refurbishment and new building services will be needed before permanent facilities can be built inside, including restoration on the Midland Shed roof, which is being planned. All alterations will be sympathetic to the historic nature of the building.

The illustration above shows the potential uses of space at Bristol Temple Meads station and includes:

1. New northern entrance, formed through 3 arches
2. New northern unpaid concourse
3. Enhanced unpaid passenger route 1: Clock tower
4. Enhanced unpaid passenger route 2: Bonaparte's Alley
5. New northern entrance terrace
6. New station approach forecourt
7. New Customer Information Screen (CIS)
8. Potential retail use
9. New public toilets
10. New access into passageway
11. Former west Digby Wyatt range rooms
12. Existing access point extended through Midland Shed out onto Friary
13. First class lounge
14. Retail use
15. Potential to open up additional arches along facade to facilitate a retail street
16. New 6-car platform and buffer stops positioned 25m back from the end of Midland Shed
17. Proposed gateline to platforms 0 and 1
18. Proposed gateline behind platform 3
19. Proposed gateline through Bonaparte's Alley
20. Platform 3
21. Relocated taxi and Blue Badge parking
22. Service access
23. Existing signalling facility

Middle Shed today.

Eastern Entrance

A new Eastern Entrance will connect communities in St Philip's Marsh and nearby with Bristol Temple Meads station. The entrance will open directly into the University of Bristol's new Enterprise Campus, providing easy access to and from the station for students and the public travelling to homes, jobs and leisure.

Artist's impression of the proposed new Eastern Entrance.

Wayfinding

Wayfinding sign.

Wayfinding describes an information system that guides people through the area and enhances their understanding and experience of the space. The area will be designed to be easier to navigate, with sight lines between buildings and new information points installed.

Making it happen

Much of the infrastructure work is related to improved connectivity to and within the station, meeting broader policy objectives and unlocking nearby development.

A number of projects and activities have been identified as high priority for the next few years to progress the City Gateway masterplan. These include moving the car parking, works in the Midland Shed, the Northern Entrance, Friary and Station Approach and the Southern Gateway. The £94.7m funding injection awarded by government in June 2022 will help support the delivery of some of the City Gateway proposals.