The new “Southern Gateway” transport hub at Bristol Temple Meads railway station has received a resolution to grant planning permission from Bristol City Council.
Councillors on Development Control Committee A voted unanimously to grant permission subject to conditions.
The new transport hub will comprise a standalone secure cycle building, new bus stops, new and improved walking and cycling routes, and a new multi-storey car park.
The development is a vital first step for the Bristol Temple Quarter project and the first to be delivered by the Bristol Temple Quarter Limited Liability Partnership (BTQ LLP). It is a key piece of infrastructure that will enable development elsewhere. By relocating station car parking into a single high-quality facility, land will be unlocked to deliver new homes, commercial space and improvements to public spaces and travel routes around the station.
In October, the Bristol Temple Quarter Limited Liability Partnership (BTQ LLP), the body responsible for delivering Bristol Temple Quarter, announced the search for a contractor for Southern Gateway. The BTQ LLP aims to appoint the successful organisation in January, with works expected to begin on site in mid-2026.
When complete, Southern Gateway will feature:
- a new 379 space car park for relocation of rail passenger and staff parking, with accessible spaces, electric vehicle charging, and short stay parking for drop off and pick up
- a separate high-quality cycle hub with secure access for over 530 bikes, including cargo bikes and accessible cycles
- new bus stops and futureproofed space for mass transit
- improvements to the Bath Road cycle path and walkway
The works are funded as part of the £95m government grant awarded to Bristol Temple Quarter in 2022 to deliver new entrances and infrastructure around the station. Additional funding is also being sought from the Bristol City Council Economic Development Fund.
A new Eastern Entrance, opening into the new University of Bristol Enterprise Campus, is set to open in Autumn 2026. In total, Bristol Temple Meads will benefit from four new or improved entrances as part of the Temple Quarter programme.
Karen Mercer, CEO, BTQ LLP, said:
“Southern Gateway is the first piece in the jigsaw to unlock the new homes, jobs and public spaces that the city needs. This resolution to grant planning permission means we can move into delivery at Temple Quarter, which is what the Bristol Temple Quarter LLP was created to do. I’d like to thank the BTQ LLP partners and Network Rail for their hard work and continued support to get us to this point. Starting on site at Southern Gateway next year will be the first in a series of milestones for the project in 2026, and I can’t wait for us to get started.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“This planning permission brings us a step closer to turning Bristol Temple Quarter into somewhere that people in our region can be really proud of, and that works for them. The transformation of the station itself will complement our work with partners to deliver new stations at North Filton, Portishead, and elsewhere, helping to bring more new jobs and economic growth to the West.”
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:
“The Southern Gateway is more than just a transport hub for the station. It is essential to the transformation of Bristol Temple Meads station and the area around it, which has not been meeting the needs of our city for some time. I’m thrilled to see the Southern Gateway gain planning consent and am looking forward to seeing construction start in the new year.”
In parallel to the delivery of the transport hub, the BTQ LLP is working closely with Network Rail on plans for a new pedestrian access into Bristol Temple Meads station. Network Rail will deliver this entrance, transforming an existing railway track into a walkway over the River Avon. This will dramatically improve access to and from the station for residents in the south of the city. The walkway will link directly into the rest of the Southern Gateway site.
Marcus Jones, Western Route Director at Network Rail, said:
“This announcement is another crucial milestone in the ongoing transformation of Bristol Temple Meads. Alongside renovations on the roof, the creation of the new Eastern Entrance and other planned improvements to the passenger experience through the station, the Southern Gateway will help to make Bristol Temple Meads a world-class gateway to Bristol and the region.”
Joe Wharton, Assistant Director – Regional, Homes England, said:
“The Bristol Temple Quarter LLP was set up to deliver on the potential of the area. The Southern Gateway is the vital first move in realising this potential. Homes England is pleased to be playing a central role in this project and the future delivery of new homes at Temple Quarter.”
Later this year, the BTQ LLP expects to announce its preferred private sector partner. The partner will work with the BTQ LLP to develop and deliver detailed plans for the land to the west of the station, stretching from Redcliffe Wharf in the west to The Friary and Temple Gate in the east.
