‘Huge challenge’ to get Temple Meads redevelopment cash going to local Bristol firms

Keeping millions of pounds from the redevelopment of Temple Meads and the surrounding area in the local economy will be a “huge challenge and opportunity”.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said the city’s builders should benefit from the giant regeneration project.

The Temple Quarter regeneration scheme will see three new entrances built at the train station, as well as thousands of new homes nearby. After getting government funding this summer, another major milestone was reached last week as crucial contracts were signed.

As well as three new entrances to the station, the Temple Quarter project will include building 2,476 new homes and space for 2,200 jobs in the areas around Temple Meads. Rees said the scheme should be an “example of inclusive development”.

He said: “We’ve talked to the university about making sure that the work we do down here is an example of inclusive economic development. What we don’t want is billions of pounds sloshing around the economy, leaving local people out.

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Read more: Bristol Temple Quarter gets £95m of government funds to level up

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“One of the huge challenges we have, and it’s a huge opportunity, is getting our local supply chain lined up. There’s going to be lots of floors laid, lots of windows fitted, lots of wires laid.

“We’ve got those skills in the city, so it’s about how we get that local multiplier working, how we work with the skills spend that we have with the combined authority, to make sure that people know they can go to the City of Bristol College or wherever, and there will be job opportunities out the other end.

“There’s nearly a billion pounds just in the first instance coming here now, so it’s going to be incredibly important that this is truly owned by the people of Bristol and the wider region.”

He made the comments at a West of England combined authority meeting on October 14, which voted to formally enter into legal agreement with Network Rail and Bristol City Council to begin spending £94.7 million on the Temple Quarter regeneration project.

The cash was secured this June after the government finally agreed to fund the “nationally important” scheme.

Dan Norris, West of England mayor, said: “This is clearly important to Bristol and the wider West of England. As one of the largest regeneration schemes in Europe, it’s very important to the country as well. it’s not just a Bristol or regional thing, it’s a national thing too.

“Rejuvenating the area around Brunel’s Temple Meads station will create a fitting gateway to Bristol and the West of England. It will also bring much-needed new homes for our residents and create new jobs for our skilled workers.

“After so many years of talking about it, I am pleased to be taking concrete action. We need to work at pace to transform Temple Quarter into a great place to live and work.”

The next question for the region’s political leaders, now this milestone has been reached, is where else in the West of England could also see a similar sized regeneration project. One option could be Bristol Parkway train station,  north of the city.

South Gloucestershire Council leader Toby Savage said: “As we make significant progress on projects like this, we also need to be thinking long-term about what’s the next one?

“What’s the next big brownfield urban regeneration opportunity that we should be thinking about as a region? One we need to look closely at is the opportunities around Bristol Parkway station.”

Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol

Main photo: Betty Woolerton

Read next:

• New footbridge among plans for major Temple Meads redevelopment
• Plans for 471 student flats near Bristol Temple Meads approved despite flood risk
• Ambitious development plans for empty land near Temple Meads

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