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Friday 26 Mar 2021

Platforms to reopen at Bristol Temple Meads station ahead of roof restoration

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

Passengers are set to see a temporary new-look inside of Bristol Temple Meads station from this weekend (27 and 28 March) following the installation of scaffolding towers ready for the roof restoration to kick off this spring.

Over the past three weeks, Network Rail engineers have worked day and night with roof contractors Taziker to erect 50 scaffolding towers and 15 huge, 36m roof beams across the platforms inside the station’s main train shed.

The scaffolding towers will be used to support a large safety screen that will give workers access to the roof while protecting passengers and staff from the work being carried out overhead, ensuring the station can remain open and operational throughout this work.

The remaining scaffolding towers will be installed this spring followed by the start of work to re-glaze, repair and paint the main train shed roof and platform canopies. Once complete, the iconic Victorian roof will be brought back to its former glory with new laminated glass roof panels which will create a lighter and brighter station, providing a more welcoming environment and improving the overall experience for train passengers to, from and through Bristol.

This work is the latest aspect of the Bristol Rail Regeneration programme, which is significantly transforming the railway in Bristol for the benefit of passengers, and represents a major investment in sustainable transport in the region.

The roof restoration is due for completion in 2023.

Maxine Prydderch, Network Rail, project manager, said: “The teams have worked extremely hard to put up the scaffolding and it’s really encouraging to see the amazing progress that has already been made throughout the station.

“The overall programme of work will make a huge difference to passengers travelling through Bristol as they will be greeted with a cleaner, brighter and refreshed station which will be at the beating heart of the city and enjoyed for generations to come.”

Neil Harrison, Taziker, infrastructure managing director, said: "The Bristol Temple Meads roof refurbishment is a long-term and complex project. The collaborative effort being made by the team to ensure the works are delivered safely and efficiently against such a challenging programme is a credit to everybody involved."