MP warns of ‘travel chaos’ if new station for YTL Arena is delayed

Reports the new North Filton railway station won’t open until two years after the arena it’s supposed to serve has prompted an MP to call for urgent action.

Darren Jones argues it is “unthinkable to have a situation where we are putting the cart before the horse like this” and warns there will be “travel chaos” if the infrastructure is not in place when the 17,000-capacity venue opens.

In a letter to Network Rail seen by Bristol24/7, the MP for Bristol North West has requested to meet with company bosses as a matter of urgency to work out a plan to get the development of the station back on track.

North Filton station was initially meant to open next year but will not now be built until 2026. YTL have recently amended quotes by director Seb Loyn on a website page about the new station next to the Brabazon development.

Loyn was originally quoted as saying: “Investing in public transport and active travel is a key part of the vision to ensure Brabazon becomes a thriving new neighbourhood for Bristol.

“With our first homes now selling fast, the new rail station due to be operational by 2023 and then Brabazon Park and the YTL Arena Bristol due to open in 2024, progress is well underway to deliver on that vision.”

That second sentence has since been changed to “the new rail station due to be operational by 2025”.

Several design changes – including the need to redesign a footbridge over the tracks and delays to Henbury station – as well as the need to do “value engineering and cost avoidance exercises” to keep project costs under control are being blamed for the hold up.

Writing to Michelle Handforth, managing director for Wales & Western Network Rail, Jones said: “It is unthinkable to have a situation where we are putting the cart before the horse like this.

“From the outset, I have welcomed the arena coming to north Bristol – but only if significant transport upgrades are made to prevent gridlock on our roads across Henbury, Brentry, Southmead and Horfield.

“The new train station connecting the arena to Temple Meads in only 15 minutes is a vital part of these transport upgrades.”

The MP also sent a copy of the letter to Mark Hopwood, the managing director at GWR, and Dan Norris, West of England metro mayor.

YTL, the developer behind the new arena on the historic Brabazon hangars site as well as a vast new neighbourhood in the area, has said the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and Network Rail are responsible for delivering the station – one of three opening in the city in the next few years.

GWR has also warned that the proposed 15-minute train service will only be possible if funding is granted to upgrade existing infrastructure.

The new railway station by the YTL Arena site is not due to open until 2026 – image: YTL Developments and Network Rail

Jones continued: “Until the new station opens, the nearest station will be more than a 30-minute walk from the arena and lacks the train service frequency to meet the needs for large crowds.

“I would like to meet with you as a matter of urgency to discuss these issues and to explore all options to get the timeline for the North Filton railway station back on track. I fear that failure to do so risks future travel chaos for both concert-goers and residents in my constituency.”

Main image: YTL Developments and Network Rail 

Read next:

• Why train station by Bristol’s new arena has been delayed
• Work to build new station to start one year after arena due to open 
• Delays to crucial transport works around new arena could cause ‘chaos and calamity’ 

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: