For decades now, Bristol’s congested neighbourhoods have long wished for a better railway network connecting the city. A sorry victim of the Beeching Cuts, the city lost many of its railway tracks in the 1960s, and with car use increasing over the years it has since suffered with gridlock and pollution.
A report by INRIX, found that drivers lost almost four days sat in traffic in Bristol in 2022, making it the second-most congested city in the UK. Solutions are needed - and so many people are pinning their hopes on a revitalised railway network.
As Portishead residents will know, the journey can be long and uncertain. Howeverm there are cemented plans in place for many stations with the support of authorities. And this summer the city is set to see its first railway station to open since Parson Street in 1927.
The city is also set to see two railway lines reopened, plus a few new stations on already open routes.
Here’s the list of stations in the pipeline for Bristol, and the latest estimated opening dates:
1. Ashley Down - 2024
Work is set to start this year on Ashley Down as part of the MetroWest 2 project which will also see trains eventually go as far as Henbury. The station is between Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood - expected opening is 2024. The site used to be home to Ashley Hill train station, which closed in 1964 .
2. North Filton
The train station is part of the MetroWest phase 2 project for a line to Henbury. It would serve the Brabazon housing development, which could see more than 6,500 homes at Filton Airfield, and the new Bristol Arena. However, the station has already been hit by delays. It was due to open in 2022 before the new arena opens, but now 2026 is the new target opening date, according to developer YTL which is behind the housing and arena project.
3. Henbury - 2026
Henbury would be the final stop on the line opened as part of the MetroWest 2 project, with an hourly passenger service to and from Bristol Temple Meads. Pictured are Henbury councillors Mark Weston and Chris Windows, who want the ‘Henbury Spur’ to go further and turn into a loop with new stations at Horfield and Chittening in Avonmouth.
4. Portway Park & Ride - 2023 summer
Portway Park and Ride railway station is ‘substantially complete’ and due to open in the summer, according to a recent report by Bristol City Council. It will have one platform serving both directions, long enough to fit up to five coaches. As well as Temple Meads, trains running along the Severn Beach line stop at Shirehampton, Sea Mills, Clifton Down, Redland, Montpelier, Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill. In the other direction, trains also run to Avonmouth, St Andrews Road and Severn Beach. Photo: Network Rail