News / temple meads
Plans for multi-storey car park by Temple Meads approved
Plans have been approved for a new multi-storey car park and cycle hub near Temple Meads.
But cyclists could be banned from using the cycle hub for a couple of years due to concerns about road safety and the narrow shared pavement along the bridge over the Avon.
The Southern Gateway “multi-modal transport hub” will include a seven-storey car park with 379 spaces and a three-storey cycle hub, for cyclists to securely lock up their bikes.
The plans were approved unanimously by councillors on planning committee A on Wednesday.
This is the first of several planning applications from the Temple Quarter company, formed to collaborate between the council, the West of England Combined Authority, Network Rail and Homes England on regenerating the area.
This will be built at the bottom of the A4 Bath Road.
Plans to build a large multi-storey car park close to Temple Meads have been approved – image: Bristol Temple Quarter LLP
Nick Finney, planning manager at Bristol Temple Quarter LLP, said: “This is the first critical piece of the jigsaw, delivering on proposals long set out.
“We have worked closely in partnership with Network Rail on this scheme and this is one of a number of upcoming station improvement projects that will deliver a step-change in accessing facilities at the station.”
The multi-storey car park will replace the existing car park north of the station. However, staff in the council’s transport department are concerned that the Southern Gateway will lead to more people walking and cycling along the narrow pavement of the Bath Road.
The shared path at the start of Bath Road means cyclists and pedestrians are meant to both use the small space next to a busy road – photo: Alex Seabrook
The extra trips generated by the new cycle hub could lead to a higher risk of an accident with somebody being killed or seriously injured, according to council staff.
While a new bike lane will be built outside the Southern Gateway, the narrow shared path will remain north and south of the site until funding can be found from elsewhere to improve walking and cycling infrastructure.
One option being explored is building a new bridge over the River Avon for pedestrians and cyclists.
The council is spending £712,000 of a grant from the Department for Transport on drawing up an outline business case for the bridge. Optimistically, the bridge could be built and opened within four years.
Work on the Southern Gateway will start next June, taking two years. Another option is closing a lane along the A4 Bath Road temporarily, although this would be “contentious”.
If that can’t happen, the council would explore “mothballing” the new cycle hub until the bridge is built. The hub will have space for 538 bicycles, with ramps in between the three different storeys.
The current entrance to Temple Meads is often criticised for its accessibility and overall unwelcoming appearance – photo: Betty Woolerton
Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Varney said: “That would be incredibly frustrating for cyclists to have this fantastic new facility, and they can’t use it. That wouldn’t go down well in terms of PR.”
Green councillor Abi Finch added: “At the moment along the pavement there is a very meagre cycle lane. I would agree that the better option is the temporary closure of one lane. I generally don’t cycle to the station if I’m away from Bristol for more than one night, because I don’t feel safe to leave my bike overnight. So I really welcome having a secure cycle facility. It’s quite exciting.”
Cyclists will have to pay to lock up their bikes in the cycle hub, although it’s unclear how much the fees would cost.
The benefit of this is “increased security”, as the hub would only be open to people who had paid. Earlier this autumn, British Transport Police said they won’t check CCTV footage of bicycle thefts outside stations if bikes were locked up for more than two hours.
The new transport hub will comprise a secure cycle building, new bus stops and new and improved walking and cycling routes – image: Bristol Temple Quarter LLP
Labour councillor Katja Hornchen said: “Do you really have to charge for cycle parking? I’ve been trying to look in Europe where they have cycle parking, and they don’t charge for it anywhere except in Britain. Are we going to be known as the country that charges for cycle parking?”
Drivers dropping off or picking up passengers will be able to use both the Southern Gateway and the Friary, to the north of Temple Meads.
People will no longer be able to drop off in front of the main entrance to the station on Station Approach, for security reasons. The northern car park will be regenerated with new buildings and new bus stops too.
After the meeting Karen Mercer, chief executive of Bristol Temple Quarter, said: “Southern Gateway is the first piece in the jigsaw to unlock the new homes, jobs and public spaces that the city needs.
“This resolution to grant planning permission means we can move into delivery at Temple Quarter, which is what the Bristol Temple Quarter LLP was created to do.
“I’d like to thank the BTQ LLP partners and Network Rail for their hard work and continued support to get us to this point.
“Starting on site at Southern Gateway next year will be the first in a series of milestones for the project in 2026, and I can’t wait for us to get started.”
Thee interior of Temple Meads station is undergoing significant renovation – photo: Betty Woolerton
Helen Godwin, mayor of the West of England, added: “This planning permission brings us a step closer to turning Bristol Temple Quarter into somewhere that people in our region can be really proud of, and that works for them.
“The transformation of the station itself will complement our work with partners to deliver new stations at North Filton, Portishead, and elsewhere, helping to bring more new jobs and economic growth to the West.”
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
Main image: Bristol Temple Quarter LLP
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
