Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone starts to take shape

Posted on 4 July 2013 · Posted in News

Bristol’s Enterprise Zone at Temple Quarter has showcased its progress at a major event at Brunel’s Temple Meads Station.

At the ‘Delivering the Vision’ event Network Rail revealed its plans to transform Temple Meads station, alongside electrification of the route and the introduction of Intercity Express trains.

Patrick Hallgate, route managing director for Network Rail Western says:

“Transforming Temple Meads railway station is fundamental to the future success of the Enterprise Zone.

“We are already seeing nine million passengers through here a year and we are predicting that to increase by up to 44 per cent by 2020.”

Paul Wilson, chief executive of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), added:

“Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone is the flagship project for the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership.

“We are now seeing funding being lined up – including almost £21m from the LEP’s Revolving Infrastructure Fund to improve the infrastructure in the Zone and more than £11m from the Government’s Urban Broadband fund so we can offer world-class connectivity here. We have also created a dedicated inward investment service to attract investment and support home-grown growth.”

Mayor Ferguson said:

“In 5 years’ time, we want passengers to arrive in the rapidly developing Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone and have a transformed arrival experience, coming through Brunel’s rejuvenated station, past a buzzing ‘Arena Island’, before exiting onto a new station plaza at the start of the Brunel Mile into the city.

“Space is being filled in the existing buildings such as the Engine Shed, Temple Studios and Rivergate; new building developments are coming forward at Glass Wharf and Paintworks; and alongside this, projects like Creative Common are making innovative use of derelict sites to ensure Temple Quarter becomes a desirable place that people want to live and play, as well as work.”

For more information on Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone see: http://www.bristoltemplequarter.com/.