News / Transport
Bus stops outside Temple Meads to be relocated
Bus stops outside Bristol Temple Meads will be relocated to a nearby street where cars will be banned.
Friary, running adjacent to Temple Meads, will become a bus interchange with services stopping here instead of on Station Approach.
Station Approach, the road up to the main entrance to the station, will get more public space and improved security measures.
is needed now More than ever
The hope is that Station Approach will be transformed from a congested area full of taxis and buses to a spacious pedestrianised square – photo: Martin Booth
The latest plans are among numerous upgrades planned for Temple Meads including two new entrances to the south and the east.
The new ‘Northern Gateway’ will upgrade the current northern entrance to the station.
Bristol City Council is working with Network Rail and the Temple Quarter regeneration programme to carry out the works, with Friary getting new bus shelters and bus stops.
The full business case for Friary has been approved by councillors on Bristol City Council’s transport policy committee.
This will now be sent to the West of England Combined Authority for a final check, before the money is made available and the works begin.
Major plans are afoot to transform the area around Temple Meads – image: Bristol City Council
Adam Crowther, head of city transport, said: “Buses can come in, turn back around, stop and then come back out.
“That enables relocation of buses from the ramp to the Friary, and then the ramp can be an enhanced public realm.”
The money is from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, a giant pot of government cash that cannot be spent on day-to-day services.
This money has to be spent by March 2027, sparking wider concerns about roadworks on “everything, everywhere, all at once” due to the strict deadline imposed by the Department for Transport.
The wider project includes upgrading the historic Midland Shed that is currently used for car parking.
This will be used for new passenger toilets, ticket facilities, food and drink, and shops.
A large outdoor car park will be relocated to the south of the station at a new entrance on Bath Road on the site of the former Kwik Fit garage – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
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