Platform construction begins at new Bristol train station Ashley Down …
Platform construction has begun at Ashley Down with teams working around the clock to install two new platforms
The station at Ashley Down is one of seven new stations in Bristol that will be built as part of the West of England Combined Authority-funded MetroWest programme.
The next phase of work began on Saturday, June 3 and is due to finish on Monday, June 19.
The scheme includes the installation of a new, modern signalling system in and around Bristol Temple Meads, the addition of two new railway lines between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood and the upgrade of Bristol East Junction.
A visualisation of the new station at Ashley Down (Image: Network Rail)
Michael Contopoulos, Network Rail’s project director, said: “This is an exciting time for rail travel in the West of England, with a new station – funded by the West of England Combined Authority – being built at Ashley Down in Bristol.
“This will be a very intensive period of the build programme and I’d like to thank local residents for their patience over the next few weeks, in particular.
“We’ll be working 24/7 for 16 days from Saturday, June 3, removing and realigning the track before installing the two new platforms, constructed from prefabricated blocks.
“During this period we’ll also be working on the foundations for the footbridge and lifts that will be installed in follow up shifts later this year.
“As with any project of this scale, some disturbance is unavoidable, however I’d like to assure residents that we’re doing all we can to keep this to a minimum.”
The 16-day period of intensive construction work will impact services between Filton Abbey Wood and Stapleton Road.
Trains running between Filton Abbey Wood and Bristol Temple Meads will be unable to stop at Stapleton Road or Lawrence Hill.
However, trains running between Bristol Temple Meads and Clifton Down, Avonmouth or Severn Beach are unaffected.
Passengers travelling between Filton Abbey Wood and Stapleton Road or Lawrence Hill should change trains at Bristol Temple Meads.
This summer also sees essential track maintenance work taking place within the Severn Tunnel, which will be closed from Friday, June 9 to Sunday, June 18.
Passengers are advised to check before travelling between these dates, as a bus replacement service will be in operation between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central.