Don't miss chance to create new transport hub in Bristol, says Green Party campaigner
A plot by Temple Meads station earmarked for development would be perfect for a transport interchange, say campaigners.
Green Party activists believe the land, known as Plot 6, should be used to create a transport hub bringing together Bristol's rail, bus, taxi and coach services, and even trams.
-
They say the Station Approach at Temple Meads is too small and cramped for a proper interchange – and building offices and homes on the alternative site would throw away an opportunity to improve the city's public transport.
The Bristol Evening Post reported this year that under the redevelopment plans Station Approach is to be closed off to private cars and only open to public transport.
All car parking would be moved from the concourse and the Passenger Shed, where there are 374 spaces, to a new short and long-stay car parking area.
There would be a 522-space multi-storey car park at the end of the Friary, the road which links Bristol's new Temple Quay development to the Temple Circus roundabout.
The car park would be on part of Plot 6, alongside a "mixed-use development" of flats, offices and shops.
The land, at the back of the Passenger Shed and Digby Wyatt Shed, is jointly owned by Network Rail and the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA). They are due to announce a developer for the site soon.
A planning application was submitted to Bristol City Council last week to refurbish the inside of the station.
But Peter Goodwin, transport spokesman for the Bristol South Green Party, said: "Our best and easiest chance to make public transport better is being thrown away, because the first requirement of the development brief is to maximise profit.
"There's no mention of serving the public interest. We must grab the chance to get a proper public transport hub at Temple Meads, to serve all the city's rail and bus routes.
"The reality that everyone seems to be ignoring is that fuel will soon be scarce and much more costly.
"Climate change is threatening the whole planet and right now Bristol's public transport is so unattractive and fragmented, it won't get people out of their cars. There are many practical steps we can take to tackle the problems and this is one of the easy ones. To miss the chance would be criminal."
A spokeswoman for Network Rail said: "Participating in the Plot 6 development means we are able to release our commercial asset and open up opportunities to bring more investment into improving the railway.
"It therefore meets the wider aspiration of attracting more usage of public transport as echoed by the Green Party. We are freeing up precious space for other potential use and removing congestion into the station, which will in turn make accessing the station easier and rail travel more attractive.
"We are keen to make further improvement to the station area, including better public transport links to the station for passengers.
No one from SWRDA was available for comment.
10 Comments
by Tim Beadle, Bath, UK
Monday, November 03 2008, 11:31AM
“@Craig: you can still be stuck in traffic in a zero-emission vehicle. Public mass transit has to be the better option, surely?”
by craig, bristol
Friday, October 31 2008, 12:41PM
“Great idea we need to join the dots so to speak.
@chris
I think Peter Goodwin is right. We need to think ahead by more than a few years.
The need to reduce our carbon emissions by 80% calls into question our dependence on the car and highlights the need to develop public transport, which must be better integrated.
but Chris if you look ahead more than a few years Cars will be emission free”
by Chris, Redland
Friday, October 31 2008, 12:27PM
“Great idea, but the Greens have missed the boat (or bus, train, etc) on this one already as the bus station has only recently been redeveloped, so it's unfortunately not going to move.
BCC should have insisted on relocating the bus station to Temple Meads at that time, and integrating our transport, but as we all know BCC can't think strategically!
What about use of the site/buildings on the other side of the station approach by Bristol and Exeter House? Low level short term parking/drop off would bwe ideal there, linked by escalator/lift/stairs to the main station.
Nigel's earlier comment about maintaining potential tram access adjacent to the Old Brunel Station is very valid, if one day BCC come to their senses and use a tram/light rail solution to use the excellent existing suburban rail infrastructure, from the likes of Clifton, Avonmouth, Henbury, Portishead, etc.
The land off Cattle Market Road needs to be urgently cleared and the total eye-sore of the Royal Mail building removed, including the cross-platform bridge connecting the RM site with the platforms. They ruin the appraoch to the station and the view of the listed Digby-Wyatt station structure.
Long term parking at Temple Meads has always been limited/restricted and the multi-storey facility would be good.
As with everything in Bristol, it's always to long in the making. When will this development take place?
From a Network Rail perspective, Temple Meads must be the largest under invested station on the whole network. How about NR cleaning the glass in the roof of the main canopy - it's filthy and grimey......”
by Shelly, Bristol
Friday, October 31 2008, 11:36AM
“Excellent, joined up thinking for once - Which is why it wont happen.
John says he's been screaming for this since the 60's. Nothing has changed since then. The councillors pay lip service to these ideas and then when cash is earmarked for projects they spend it on something else instead!”
by Steve, Southville
Friday, October 31 2008, 11:25AM
“An excellent, logical idea that will give Bristol the integrated transport hub that the city so desperately needs.
But remember, this is Bristol where any logical, excellent idea linked to transport withers and dies.
I mean, we really, really need more flats, offices and shops don't we. Don't we?”
by Captain Obvious, Obvious HQ
Friday, October 31 2008, 10:40AM
“"No one from SWRDA was available for comment."
Why was no one available? Surely this unelected body is at least capable of responding to us surfs?”
by John, Bristol
Friday, October 31 2008, 10:26AM
“TRULY AMAZING ! ! !.this has been SCREAMING for action for years,even back in the 1960's when I used Trains a lot
the number of people who when asking me where the "Bus Station" was looked baffled when I said there was not one on site.”
by Captain Obvious, Obvious HQ
Friday, October 31 2008, 9:50AM
“Although I normally have little time for the "Green nice but dim" party, this is a good idea worth exploring, and indeed given the development in this part of Bristol seems the logical way to reduce traffic yet more.”
by Nigel, Bristol
Friday, October 31 2008, 9:08AM
“Great opinion.
That site is perfect for a transport hub. I dont believe the current bus station is adequate for all the needs of buses and coaches.
Stop building offices and build something that would connect TM the rest of Bristol.
I just hope they develop that site in a way that it doesnt hamper any future access for a tram line becuase that side of Temple Meads is the only usable space left to bring a tram line down to street level.
While we are on the subject of Temple Meads when is that damm Post office building going to be redeveloped, its a complete shambles and an embarrassement. :-(”
by Chris, Bristol
Friday, October 31 2008, 8:49AM
“I think Peter Goodwin is right. We need to think ahead by more than a few years.
The need to reduce our carbon emissions by 80% calls into question our dependence on the car and highlights the need to develop public transport, which must be better integrated.
It is standard practice in many European cities to have the main bus station and rail station alongside each other to allow for easy interchange.”