There is currently a proposal for a new ‘Southern Gateway’ to Temple Meads station from the old KwikFit site on Bath Road. This would include: A new 350 space multi-storey car park relocating existing parking from around the station; a secure cycle hub for over 700 bikes in a separate building; pedestrian access to Temple Meads over the River Avon; bus stops for people heading south out of the city.
Information and an opportunity to give your views are here: The Southern Gateway – Bristol Temple Quarter
Unfortunately, TRESA directors do not see this as a useful ‘gateway’ for people who live in the South of Bristol. The key issues/questions we have identified are:
- Buses travelling from the South of Bristol will not stop at the southern gateway, but beyond the derelict Grosvenor Hotel which is closer to what will be the ‘main’ entrance to the station
- Moving bus stops to the southern gateway for those leaving Temple Meads seems pointless – you might as well get off the train and walk to the current bus stops near the end of Station Approach, rather than a narrow walkway and through a multi-storey car park. It might also feel safer, especially at night.
- It looks as if the southern gateway takes you to the outside of the station, at the top of Station Approach. Is that correct? If so, in what ways would it be more convenient for pedestrians? Is it a shorter distance? Might walking on the main road and up Station Approach feel safer for lone travellers, especially at night?
- Will cycle parking for 700+ increase cycling on what is already a sub-standard shared route?
- Will the southern gateway increase pedestrian movements on what is already a sub-standard route?
- How will the southern gateway relate to the ‘lift’ to Temple Island on the sub-standard shared route?
- Will the southern gateway increase e-scooter movements on what is already a sub-standard route?
- Will the southern gateway increase car movements (potentially dangerous car movements entering/exiting the multi-story car park) in what is already a busy road?
- Crossing the road from Fowlers will deposit pedestrians and cyclists onto a route where there are multiple movements of cars, buses, e-scooters etc.
- Will private cars travelling from Bath Road be able to drop off or pick up people from Temple Meads? If not, what will be their pick-up/drop-off point? There will be cases where picking up or dropping people off in a private car is valid.
- If there is no private car pick-up/drop-off facility, will the bus drop-off/pick-up point have the inevitable consequence of being used by other vehicles?
Although a so-called transport hub seems a good idea, the main reason for doing this is stated at the beginning of the consultation: “By consolidating car parking in one location, we can do more with the land to the north of the station at the Northern Gateway, including delivering new and affordable homes, jobs, sustainable travel options, improved passenger facilities, and new public spaces.” To improve things at the north of the station, south Bristol seems to be gaining a problematic gateway. We were told that improving the sub-standard route depended on major investment in the area, but once again this will not happen.
It does not appear to be, as described, a useful entrance to give “better access from the South of the city”. We have serious concerns about this Southern Gateway in the absence of improvements for people walking and cycling from the south of the city along Wells Road and Bath Road.