• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Monday September 16 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Opening date revealed for new Bristol railway station

After a 60-year wait, commuters in North Bristol will once again have their own railway station – and it’s opening next weekend.

Ashley Down station, which has been in construction since March 2023, will open on Saturday, September 28.

Funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with contributions from GWR and Bristol City Council, Ashley Down is the second new railway station to open in the city in 100 years, following the opening of Portway Station last summer.

With two platforms, the new stop – part of the MetroWest Phase 2 project – will offer an hourly service between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood. It is part of a project to reopen the Henbury Line, which also includes the construction of new stations in Henbury and North Filton.

The construction of Ashley Down station, which features waiting shelters, a footbridge and lifts linking the platforms, as well as cycle parking for 20 bikes, started in March 2023 and has been carried out by Network Rail and their contractor.

Work to create a gateway to Ashley Down station has been carried out by Bristol City Council and their contractors. It included creating an accessible route for all to the entrance, installing two disabled parking bays, landscaping works with new trees to be planted in the winter.

The new station is part of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s wider plans to drive a change in travel choices, getting people out of their cars, improving air quality and connectivity across Bristol and the wider region.

Metro mayor Dan Norris

Metro mayor Dan Norris (pictured) said: “I’m delighted that Ashley Down will be welcoming passengers onto its platforms for the first time later this month.

“We need to get more people travelling by train – that’s why I’ve committed funding to support more frequent services on popular local routes including the Henbury Line.

“I know people living in this part of Bristol will warmly welcome the new station which will give them more sustainable travel options to get into the centre of the city.

“The last time people caught a train here, astronaut Neil Armstrong hadn’t walked on the moon.”

Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of Bristol City Council’s transport & connectivity committee, said: “We’re thrilled to see another station opening in Bristol.

“It will be a valuable asset for people in the area who will have a convenient new way to travel to Bristol Temple Meads and beyond. I’d like to say a big thank you to people who live near the station for their patience while all the works were carried out.

“We hope they will enjoy their new station and the benefits it will bring.”

Tom Pierpoint, GWR business development portfolio director, said: “New stations such as this are vital in bringing the railway closer to people as we become mindful of the need to live and travel more sustainably.

“Working successfully with our partners at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Bristol City Council, and Network Rail, we are really pleased to be able to open this station, once again connecting this local community to the wider rail network for the first time in 60 years.

“We are excited for the benefits this station will bring to the local economy, to residents, businesses and to leisure travellers alike.”

Network Rail route director Marcus Jones added: “I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve reached this amazing milestone – two stations opening in the Bristol area within a year is an incredible achievement.

“As our second, Ashley Down has been a huge success story throughout its construction. Delivered with a spotless safety record, on time and on budget, it’s a real testament to the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes.

“It’s a clear demonstration of what we can achieve together and it’s another step forward in improving local rail travel options in the West of England. We look forward to welcoming the community to our new station.”

Ashley Down is located on the site of the previous Ashley Hill train station, which closed in 1964, after serving the suburb for 100 years.