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Wednesday 18 Sep 2024

West of England Mayor announces Bristol’s Ashley Down station opening

Region & Route:

Wales & Western

| Wales & Western: Western

West of England Mayor Dan Norris has revealed the date that Bristol’s newest railway station, Ashley Down, will open. On Saturday (28 September) residents in the north of the city will have their own station once again after nearly 60 years. 

Dan Norris said: “I’m delighted that Ashley Down will be welcoming passengers onto its platforms for the first time later this month. 

  “We need to get more people travelling by train – that’s why I’ve committed funding to support more frequent services on popular local routes including the Henbury Line. Ashley Down is the first of three new stations along the line with North Filton and Henbury planned over the next few years. 

 “I know people living in this part of Bristol will warmly welcome the new station which will give them more sustainable travel options to get into the centre of the city. The last time people caught a train here, astronaut Neil Armstrong hadn’t walked on the moon.” 

Funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with contributions from GWR and Bristol City Council, Ashley Down is the second new railway station to open in the city in 100 years. It follows the opening of Portway Park & Ride station in August 2023. 

Ashley Down, which has two platforms, will be a new stop on the hourly service between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood. 

The construction of Ashley Down station, which features waiting shelters, a footbridge and lifts linking the platforms, as well as cycle parking for 20 bikes, started in March 2023 and has been carried out by Network Rail and its contractor. 

The new station is part of the MetroWest Phase 2 project which will see the reopening of the Henbury Line with new stations planned in North Filton and Henbury. It is also part of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s wider plans to drive a change in travel choices, getting people out of their cars, improving air quality and connectivity across Bristol and the wider region.  

 Work to create a gateway to Ashley Down station has been carried out by Bristol City Council and their contractors. It included creating an accessible route for all to the entrance, installing two disabled parking bays, landscaping works with new trees to be planted in the winter. 

The new station’s entrance is on Concorde Way where the path meets Station Road. Concorde Way is set to reopen in time for the station opening to the public.  

Ashley Down is located on the site of the previous Ashley Hill Train Station, which closed in 1964. It had stood there for 100 years. 

Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of Bristol City Council’s Transport & Connectivity Committee, said: “We’re thrilled to see another station opening in Bristol. It will be a valuable asset for people in the area who will have a convenient new way to travel to Bristol Temple Meads and beyond. I’d like to say a big thank you to people who live near the station for their patience while all the works were carried out. We hope they will enjoy their new station and the benefits it will bring.  

“Don’t forget if you live, work or study in Bristol, we have a range of free travel offers, including a £10 rail voucher on top of bike loans, cycle training and more. Sign up at travelwest.info/travel-offers.” 

Tom Pierpoint, GWR Business Development Portfolio Director, said: “New stations such as this are vital in bringing the railway closer to people as we become mindful of the need to live and travel more sustainably.  

"Working successfully with our partners at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Bristol City Council, and Network Rail, we are really pleased to be able to open this station, once again connecting this local community to the wider rail network for the first time in 60 years. 

  "We are excited for the benefits this station will bring to the local economy, to residents, businesses and to leisure travellers alike.” 

Network Rail Western route director Marcus Jones said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve reached this amazing milestone – two stations opening in the Bristol area within a year is an incredible achievement.  

“As our second, Ashley Down has been a huge success story throughout its construction. Delivered with a spotless safety record, on time and on budget, it’s a real testament to the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes.  

“It’s a clear demonstration of what we can achieve together and it’s another step forward in improving local rail travel options in the West of England. We look forward to welcoming the community to our new station.” 

For ticket information go to GWR.com/AshleyDown