Levelling up funding for Bristol set to create thousands of new jobs

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Bristol is set to receive almost £95 million of new government ‘levelling up’ funding, which is predicted to create thousands of new jobs in the city.  

 

The funding is for the regeneration of Bristol Temple Quarter, an area of over 70 hectares near to Bristol Temple Meads railways station. The regeneration project will be one of the largest in the UK, and the biggest ever in Bristol itself.  

 

It aims to build around 10,000 new homes, with key targets for affordable housing. The project will also create an enormous 22,000 new jobs, along with skills, training and other employment opportunities.  

 

On a recent visit to Bristol to announce the £94.7 million in funding, Levelling Up Minister Neil O’Brien MP said: 

 

“Building new homes in the places they are most needed and regenerating our towns and cities lies at the heart of the Government’s levelling up mission.” 

 

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees also explained the specific benefits the project will have for the Temple Quarter area and the city in general: 

 

“Temple Quarter creates the opportunity to make our city more sustainable and better connected, while providing the affordable homes, accessible jobs and training that our citizens want and need as we tackle the climate and ecological challenges. 

 

“The partnership has brought forward a realistic, integrated vision to create a thriving new area of the city that will be key to Bristol’s and the city region’s journey to becoming an inclusive and sustainable economy, boosting Bristol’s role as a major driver of the city region and Western Gateway economies. This funding will unlock the infrastructure and public spaces needed to support further delivery on homes, jobs and inclusive growth and will underpin Bristol’s connectivity, sustainability and path to carbon neutrality.” 

 

Key focus – levelling up transport 

 

One of the main focuses of the Bristol Temple Quarter regeneration project is transport. This will include the improvement of local transport infrastructure, in order to boost economic growth and productivity in the region. 

 

Planned works include: 

 

• - Three new or significantly improved entrances to Bristol Temple Meads railway station to the north, south and east. This will connect neighbouring areas to the transport hub, including the University of Bristol’s Enterprise Campus (due to be completed in 2023/24) and new development Temple Island. 
• - Doubling the capacity of the railway station to 22 million passengers a year. 
• - Enhanced platform access and improved passenger facilities. 
• - A new ‘Station Square’ – a sizable public space near to the main railway entrance and historic clock. 
• - A new bus interchange area and enhanced streetscape at The Friary. 
• - A new public space at the Goods Yard, complete with retail and hospitality businesses.  

These works will form Phase 1 of the project, along with building 2,500 new homes and creating 2,200 jobs by 2032. The second phase of the project is to redevelop St Philip’s Marsh, an area of 57 hectares.  

 

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