Plans to transform Bristol’s Temple Quarter have received a £95m government funding boost which could create thousands of homes and jobs.
The city’s biggest-ever regeneration project is centred around its central enterprise zone and Temple Meads railway station, with further proposals to develop land in the industrial inner suburb of St Philip’s Marsh.
A partnership involving the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), Bristol City Council, Network Rail and Homes England is behind the scheme.
The newly announced central funding was announced by minister Neil O’Brien during a visit to the city on Friday (June 10), as part of the UK government's regional ‘levelling up’ agenda.
The money will be focused on the project’s first phase, which will focus areas immediately around Bristol Temple Meads station - unlocking approximately 2,500 new homes by 2032 and supporting around 2,200 jobs.
It will go towards three new or significantly improved station entrances planned to the north, south and east of Temple Meads, designed to better connect neighbouring areas
The station’s new eastern entrance will also create a link to the University of Bristol’s £300m Temple Quarter Enterprise campus.
West of England Metro Mayor, Dan Norris said: “I’m thrilled that the Combined Authority, that I lead, has been awarded £95m to invest in Temple Quarter, one of the most exciting regeneration projects in Europe.
“Now we need to make sure that the buildings and infrastructure and the high skilled jobs we bring in, truly match our ambitions on tackling the climate emergency and use the skills of our amazingly talented workers to make this area something to be very proud of.”
The Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees hailed the “extremely welcome” announcement and the organisations behind the scheme.
Mr Rees said: “The partnership has brought forward a realistic, integrated vision to create a thriving new area of the city that will be key to Bristol’s and the city region’s journey to becoming an inclusive and sustainable economy, boosting Bristol’s role as a major driver of the city region and Western Gateway economies.”
Mike Gallop, Network Rail’s Western route and strategic operations director, added the money would help to “revitalise” Temple Quarter, and turn Bristol Temple Meads station into a “world class transport hub.”
The scheme is intended to address regional inequalities by delivering new affordable homes, generating skills, training, and employment opportunities, while improving transport, productivity and growth.
The group behind the project said it could ultimately see the regeneration of approximately 130 hectares of brownfield land - equivalent to about 182 football pitches - and deliver up to 10,000 homes and 22,000 jobs.
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