Last week, Bristol City Council’s Labour cabinet reaffirmed our support for a new rail station at Ashley Down.

The new station forms part of MetroWest Phase 2, which will also reopen the line to Henbury, with further new stations at North Filton and Henbury itself. The project will also deliver increased services to Yate.

The new station at Ashley Down will have a transformative impact for residents in Bishopston, Ashley Down and Lockleaze, not only to serve existing residents but also for those who will move to the hundreds of new homes being built in Lockleaze. The station will also help to serve visitors to our ward, particularly to Gloucester Road, the cricket ground and the Memorial Stadium. Having the rail service will help to combat the congestion, traffic and pollution that local residents know all too well!

The service on this line will initially be hourly, but it is my hope, shared by the council’s cabinet member for transport, that this can be increased once it is proved how valuable the new stations will be to their local areas.

Later this year, a consultation will take place on the access arrangements for the new Ashley Down station. In particular this will look at optimising the pedestrian, cycling and disabled access to what is quite a steep and constrained location. Keep an eye out for it and please do contribute your views!