Completion of Ashley Down station connects community to the rail network for the first time in 60 years
Completion of Ashley Down station connects community to the rail network for the first time in 60 years
For the first time since before astronauts walked on the moon, residents of the West of England and beyond will be able to catch trains to and from Ashley Down station, following opening of the latest BAM-built station last weekend.
West of England Mayor Dan Norris was joined by schoolchildren and local scout members to open the UK’s newest railway station at Ashley Down.
The station is part of a £300m+ investment by the West of England Combined Authority, in partnership with GWR, Network Rail, and Bristol City Council, to bring rail travel within easy reach of more people than ever before.
BAM joined guests at the official opening including Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Bristol North West MP Darren Jones, the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Andrew Varney, GWR, Network Rail, lead designer Tony Gee and Partners and members of the local community.
The station, which has two platforms, will be a new stop on the hourly service between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood. BAM has worked in partnership with Network Rail and the West of England Combined Authority to construct the new station platforms, track, footbridge, lift shafts and associated civils and structural works for the new station at the location of the disused Ashley Hill Station.
Richard Watts, Rail Director at BAM, said:
“BAM has a strong track record of constructing new stations and bringing unused stations back into use. We’re thrilled to have rebuilt Ashley Down station, reconnecting this local community to the rail network for the first time in 60 years. The successful completion of the project has been the result of the excellent collaboration with both Network Rail and the West of England Combined Authority, to deliver the scheme on time and on budget .
“During our time on site, the BAM team enjoyed working closely with the local community. It was fantastic to support Brunel Field Primary School, with a local community project to enhance their outdoor play area, and it’s community projects like this that the team will look back on with a great deal of pride and satisfaction.”
Celebrating the opening, Mayor Dan Norris said: “If you give people easy access to good, reliable public transport, they will use it. Now 15,000 people in Lockleaze, Horfield, and Ashley Down will live closer to a railway station than they did yesterday.
“The new station looks fantastic, and I’m thrilled to have taken the first train to arrive there in 60 years. But this is only the beginning of our quiet rail revolution. Our Reverse Beeching programme is now in full swing, and we are moving on to plans to deliver stations North Filton and in Henbury next.
“From tomorrow, the public will be able to use this station for the first time, just in time for the Bristol Rovers match on Saturday and the cricket international on Sunday!
“Getting more people out of their cars and onto trains is vital to building the better, more sustainable transport system we all want to see.”
Network Rail Western route director Marcus Jones said: “It’s been a brilliant day, celebrating all the hard work that has gone in to getting Ashley Down station built and ready to open to the public tomorrow.
“I’d like to thank our contractor BAM, and all those involved through the supply chain, for getting this over the line. It’s a huge achievement to have delivered a new station for the community of Ashley Down on time and on budget, and with an impeccable record on safety throughout too.
“I look forward to continuing this great work and playing our part in leaving a lasting legacy for Bristol and beyond.”
