It is due to open in 2028
An aerial view of the Henbury station site(Image: Network Rail)
Planning permission has finally been approved for a long-delayed new train station on the northern outskirts of Bristol. Passengers will soon be able to catch a train every hour from Henbury down to Bristol Temple Meads and over to Filton Abbey Wood.
South Gloucestershire Council has granted permission for the new Henbury station, after years of delays due to concerns over flooding. A single platform station will be built next to the A4018 Wyck Beck Road on the border between Bristol and South Gloucestershire, opening in 2028.
Network Rail is planning to build the station in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority, as part of the MetroWest Phase Two project, which also includes several other stations such as North Filton, Charfield and Ashley Down. Councillors on the strategic sites delivery committee unanimously voted to approve planning permission on Wednesday, October 1.
Lisa Bullock, a town planner for Network Rail, said: “The new station will provide much-needed connectivity for both existing and future residents, supporting sustainable travel, reducing congestion and boosting the local economy. The station has been designed with sustainability at its core, by encouraging people to shift from car journeys to rail.
“The scheme will help reduce road traffic, congestion and associated emissions, delivering a direct environmental benefit. The landscaping plan includes planting 21 new trees along the station access, enhancing the visual appeal of the area and creating a valuable corridor for bats and other wildlife.”
The station will be fully accessible, with step-free access and bicycle racks, as well as connections to new and existing footpaths and bike paths. Thousands of new homes are being built around the area, with which the station will link up. But there are renewed calls to extend the passenger services beyond Henbury and further west down to Avonmouth.
Conservative Councillor Mark Weston, representing Henbury and Brentry, added: “Today is a good day, but also frustrating for us. The money for this was secured about a decade ago and since then there has been delay after delay. This is an absolutely essential piece of key infrastructure.
“It’s the only real public transport option that doesn’t rely on limited road space. This actually builds on that. Let’s get the Henbury station installed, and then once we’ve done that, look at the Henbury Loop and connecting to Avonmouth, because that’s the game-changer and the next step. But this is an important milestone.”
Trains will run on the line once an hour, turning around at Henbury and going back to Temple Meads. Around a decade ago, transport bosses ruled out reopening the Henbury Loop as they believed too few passengers would use services down to Avonmouth and beyond. The line is still used by freight services however. A car park with 31 spaces is planned next to the station.
The plans include building a ramp down from the A4018 to the station, for people walking and cycling. Transport campaigner David Redgewell said the council needed to ensure that bus stops were built next to the station, avoiding recent problems at the new Ashley Down station where passengers have a long walk to the nearest bus stop.
Mr Redgewell added: “This station needs to be built. It should have been built four or five years ago and we need to get the line open. Hopefully in the future we’ll be able to extend the service, but also provide a half-hourly service.”