Bristol Temple Quarter received another boost this week when Bristol City Council’s (BCC) Cabinet gave approval to enter into new formal agreements with the West of England Combined Authority (CA).
The agreements enable the council and its Temple Quarter partners to secure and spend funding from the £95m awarded by Government for Temple Quarter in June this year.
Since the much-anticipated funding announcement in the summer, work has continued at pace across the Temple Quarter regeneration programme. The project, which is the UK’s largest regeneration scheme, will transform 130 hectares of brownfield land to bring new homes, jobs and opportunities to Bristol and the region.
The new agreements, signed off by the Mayor and Cabinet, will enable the delivery of work in and around Bristol Temple Meads station. Dramatic improvements will include three new entrances to the station in the north, south and east, hugely improving access to Temple Meads from across the city.
The new Eastern Entrance will open into the University of Bristol’s Enterprise Campus, which will include welcoming public spaces for everyone to make use of and enjoy.
Combined with improvements to Station Approach and the surrounding areas, the project will create a world-class gateway to the West of England, set against the backdrop of Brunel’s historic Grade 1 listed station.
These infrastructure improvements will enable the delivery of around 2500 new homes and 2,200 jobs by 2030. Improved public spaces, sustainable travel routes and green infrastructure will also be enabled by the funding, boosting Bristol’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said:
“Temple Quarter is a major opportunity create a well-connected series of mixed-use communities that brings the homes, jobs, and sustainable infrastructure that Bristol needs. By delivering these improvements, Bristol can strengthen its position as the driver of the city region and Western Gateway economies. Reaching these agreements is the next step on a journey that started more than five years ago and is a signal of what can be achieved when we work together.”
West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris said:
“The Temple Quarter regeneration project puts the West of England on the map as a great place to live, work and thrive. When you arrive at Brunel’s magnificent station it will be a fitting gateway to our amazing city. There will be new sustainable homes that our communities need, built by skilled workers and new jobs. After years of talking about it, I’m delighted that the West of England Combined Authority has secured over £95 million to get on with this really, really important project. Now delivery at pace is vital with a lot of hard work. It’s what Bristolians, and everyone in our amazing region, expects and deserves”.
Peter Denton, CEO, Homes England, said:
”Homes England’s multimillion-pound funding will resolve much needed improvements to the infrastructure surrounding the station, unlocking critical housing sites. The Agency remains thoroughly committed to working with BCC and other partners, and this cabinet approval is a significant milestone and evidence of the support, dedication and drive to deliver new homes and jobs in Bristol.”
Stuart Calvert, Network Rail’s Wales and Western capital delivery director, said:
“At the centre of Bristol Temple Quarter sits the iconic Bristol Temple Meads station which is set to become a world class transport hub as a result of this latest funding. Passengers are one step closer to seeing an upgraded station with new roof, three new entrances, a multi-storey car park, new offices and shops. This work will significantly benefit our passengers, the city of Bristol and wider West of England region.”
Bristol City Council’s Cabinet also endorsed further progress on Temple Island. The council will now undertake a major programme of enabling works on the vacant site to prepare it for redevelopment.
As part of the partners’ commitment to hearing from the community throughout the life of the Temple Quarter project, members of the public are invited to attend walkarounds of the sites that will be transformed around Temple Meads station. For more information, email the project team at TempleQuarter@bristol.gov.uk.
