The Temple Gate scheme will result in significant changes to how the area between the city centre and the Temple Meads station looks, and how people travel through it. But Temple Gate is no stranger to change: it has undergone several significant transformations over just the last 150 years.
As construction work for the scheme gets underway, we’ve scoured the records of the Bristol Archives for historic images of the junction through the years. Our favourites are catalogued below – but we’d encourage you to get down to the Archives and have a look through their rich resources for yourselves.
From above
How the junction looks today. Photo courtesy of Destination Bristol
Aerial image of the site looking south-east, from a archaeological watching brief (November 2011). Bristol Archives reference 42743/20/7
Aerial image of the site looking north-west, from a archaeological watching brief (November 2011). Bristol Archives reference 42743/20/7
A 1999 postcard showing an old design for the junction. Bristol Archives reference 45222/6
The Flyover
The post-war Temple Meads flyover was built in 1968 and went from Temple Way to Redcliffe. It was only intended as a temporary structure, but ended up staying in place until the late 1990s.
The flyover being demolished in 1998. Bristol Archives reference PicBox/7A/Trans/18
The George and Railway and the Grosvenor
The George and Railway pub and the Grosvenor hotel have had various incarnations throughout their lives, and are both now derelict. The Temple Gate scheme will mean the sites are less isolated, and will mean more space around them is freed up for development.
The George and Railway hotel. Bristol Archives reference 40674/8/4
The Grosvenor hotel in the 1960s. Bristol Archives reference 37167/160
The Grosvenor hotel in the 1960s. Bristol Archives reference 37167/160
Photograph from a parade in 1900 showing the raised pedestrian walkway and the George and Railway Hotel in the background. Bristol Archives reference 42743/20/7
Streetscape
And finally, some general images looking at views across the area.
The raised pedestrian walkway over Temple Gate (now demolished). Bristol Archives reference 40674/8/4
View to Victoria Street and Temple Street in the early 1880s. Bristol Archives reference 17563/1/85
