Plans for a new multi-storey car park and cycle hub next to Temple Meads train station have been approved, marking a key step forward in the ongoing regeneration of Bristol’s Southern Gateway.
The development, unanimously approved by the council’s Planning Committee A on November 5, includes a seven-storey car park with 379 spaces alongside a three-storey cycle hub designed to securely accommodate up to 538 bikes with multi-level ramps.
This project is the first major initiative by Bristol Temple Quarter LLP, a partnership between the city council, the West of England Combined Authority, Network Rail, and Homes England, aiming to transform the area around the station and improve transport infrastructure.
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However, despite these promising developments, concerns over road safety have emerged. The narrow shared pavement along Bath Road, a busy thoroughfare adjoining the site, remains a bottleneck. Both pedestrians and cyclists share this limited space, raising fears of increased accidents as more cyclists use the area following the hub’s opening.
Council transport officials warn that until improvements are made to walking and cycling infrastructure, cyclists may be temporarily banned from using the cycle hub. While a new bike lane will be added directly outside the Southern Gateway, the problematic shared paths north and south of the site will stay unchanged due to a lack of immediate funding.
One proposed solution is to construct a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the River Avon, with £712,000 allocated to develop an outline business case for the project. Optimistic projections suggest the bridge could be completed within four years. In the meantime, the council is also exploring the possibility of temporarily closing a lane on Bath Road to improve safety, though this option is controversial.
If neither measure can be implemented promptly, the new cycle hub may be “mothballed” until safer access is assured. This has drawn criticism from local councillors. Liberal Democrat Andrew Varney described the idea as “incredibly frustrating” for cyclists unable to use promised facilities. Green Councillor Abi Finch echoed support for a temporary lane closure, emphasizing the need for secure bike storage to encourage cycling to the station.
Cyclists will be charged a fee to use the hub, which will be accessible only to subscribed users, helping to enhance security. This fee has sparked debate, with Labour Councillor Katja Hornchen questioning the rationale behind charging for cycle parking when many European countries offer free facilities.
Additionally, changes to vehicle drop-off zones will see the closure of Station Approach in front of the main station entrance for security reasons. Drivers will instead use the Southern Gateway and Friary car parks, with the northern car park area also slated for future regeneration, including new bus stops.
Karen Mercer, Chief Executive of Bristol Temple Quarter LLP, hailed the project as a foundational step toward delivering new homes, jobs, and public spaces. Helen Godwin, West of England Mayor, underscored the broader vision of transforming Temple Quarter into a vibrant transport and economic hub complementing new station developments in the region.
Work on the Southern Gateway is set to begin in June next year and is expected to take two years, marking the start of significant changes to Bristol’s transport landscape.