Network Rail submitted plans in December 2023 to move the British Transport Police offices to a new location in the Lower Passenger Shed, in the Old Station at Bristol Temple Meads. This move will allow their existing location adjoining Platform 3/4 to be converted to retail uses.
Police vehicles will access the new offices from Temple Gate. Currently operational vehicles use the Station Approach and park in a highly visible location in front of the station.
New use for Old Station
The new location was recently used as a co-working centre, and is on the north side of the Grade I listed Lower Passenger Shed. This is the departures area of the original Brunel-designed part of Temple Meads Station. In their Conservation and Asset Management Strategy, heritage specialists Alan Baxter awarded this part of the station complex the top classification ‘Highly Significant’.
During the redevelopment great care will have to be taken to preserve the surviving historical elements of the building.
We are pleased that this part of the Old Station has found a long-term railway-related use.
Retail opportunities at Temple Meads
In their planning application Network Rail point out that there are currently few opportunities at Temple Meads to get something to eat and drink while waiting for a train, or to meet someone at the end of their journey. We look forward to seeing plans for the new facilities that this more will allow to be developed.
You can see the plans on Bristol City Council’s Planning Portal; search for reference 23/04677/LA.
Leave a Reply