News / Bristol Temple Meads
Decades of dirt and pigeon poo almost ready to be cleaned from Temple Meads roof
It’s a vantage point that pigeons have had to themselves in recent years; and there are tell-tale signs of their presence everywhere.
Up here in the eaves of Temple Meads’ roof, pigeon poo is referred to by our Network Rail hosts as guano.
And it’s part of what will soon be cleaned as part of a £24m contract to refurbish the historic train shed roof.
is needed now More than ever
The scaffolding has been put in place and from April 12, Network Rail’s team of engineers and its contractors Taziker will begin a process of grit-blasting to remove any old paint, dirt and surface contaminants from the metal parts of the roof before is repaired, repainted and reglazed.
An electrical upgrade also means that from April 18, the station’s ticket office will be temporarily relocated to the former Bonapartes bar for up to three months.
The restoration of the Grade I listed roof is due to be completed by summer 2024.
Network Rail project director Mike Contopoulos said that he is “proud to be preserving Bristol’s oldest station for future generations… transforming Temple Meads into a world class transport hub”.
The roof and electrical upgrade are both part of the Bristol Rail Regeneration project, which Contopoulos said “will provide numerous benefits for our passengers, building on Bristol’s strengths as a world class city and creating a transport hub fit for the 21st century”.
On his recent visit to Temple Meads, TikTok traisnspotter extraordinaire Francis Bourgeois called the scaffolding “neo-Brunellian-esque”.
https://www.tiktok.com/@francis.bourgeois/video/7075752033327779078
Taziker’s Neil Harrison, added:: “We have overcome significant challenges to get to this stage of the project which is only possible through the hard work and dedication of the whole project team…
“Our next challenge is the grit blasting stage but we’re prepared and fully equipped, with experts in this specialism ready to commence work.”
A pigeon’s eye view of Temple Meads roof – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: Architect discovers little-known secrets behind Temple Meads
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