Preparation Works Begin to Transform Brabazon Hangars into South West's First Arena



Site preparation and enabling work has begun on the transformative project that will breathe new life into the iconic Brabazon Hangars in Bristol. This historic site, once a vital part of Britain's aviation past, is set to be reborn as a leading live entertainment and cultural hub for the South West.

The initial phase of the project began with decontamination of the site carried out by Omega Environmental Services. This will be followed by demolition of non-essential structures before starting the main construction programme.

YTL Construction UK^▸ (United Kingdom), a new company that will be part of the international YTL Group, will be responsible for transforming the historic Brabazon Hangars into the premier music venue for Bristol and the South West, and the fourth largest indoor Arena in the UK. With over 60 years of experience delivering complex and innovative projects across diverse sectors, including rail, infrastructure, performing arts centres, and iconic high-rise developments, the new company will be building on the success of the group model based in Malaysia.

"We're pleased with the progress and are pushing forward, albeit slower than originally planned." says Andrew Billingham, CEO^▸ (Chief Executive Officer) of YTL Arena Bristol. "Handing over the Hangars to Omega represents a pivotal milestone. We have tackled challenges head-on making crucial decisions to expedite the opening while ensuring we deliver one of the premier arenas in Europe. Once main construction has started, we estimate it being a two-and-a-half-year build programme."

...contiunes at source

Indeed, but so does a card transaction.

Dave

Quote fixed for you

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- Red Squirrel

Raising taxes on petrol/diesel is hugely inflationary and would have far reaching consequences throughout the economy, at a time when inflation needs to be kept/brought under control & reduced.

Council calls on Government to fund flood defences to protect Severn Beach rail branch line

27th February 2024

Further funding is needed to expand the Avonmouth and Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) Flood Defence and Ecology Mitigation Project to also help protect the Severn Beach rail branch line.

The existing flood defence work includes planning permission for 1.5km of defence on the landward side of the railway and is being delivered jointly by South Gloucestershire and Bristol City Councils with the Environment Agency (EA). The work will provide 17km of new and improved defences to reduce flood risk to 2,500 homes and businesses, and by reducing flood risk will help to unlock 12,000 new jobs through enabling development in the Enterprise Area for the West of England.

A defence on the seaward side is needed to protect the railway, which is designated as Critical National Infrastructure and supports the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)’s aspirations for Carbon Net Zero as it connects to the Suez Energy from Waste site. The facility takes up to 370,000 tonnes of waste each year from six boroughs in West London as well as from Bristol.

South Gloucestershire Council leader, Cllr Claire Young, has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Mark Harper, to ask that the Department of Transport (DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)) reconsiders a decision not to fund partnership schemes with Network Rail, which would be included in the expanded programme. A partnership is needed in this case as the seaward defence would be on Network Rail land.

Councillor Young’s letter said that Government funding will be vital to maintain the ASEA project programme and deliver the wider project outcomes. The ASEA project has already allocated £4 million to the work, which is expected to cost between £10-12 million.

Councillor Young said: “The councils, working with the Environment Agency, have designed a project that will protect homes and businesses on Severnside, as well as help to create new natural habitats in an ecologically unique area. It is vital that this work is itself protected by the extension of the defences to protect the rail line and all that relies upon it against the threat of rising sea levels.

“We look forward to hearing from the Transport Secretary soon that the Government will reconsider this investment in truly vital infrastructure to protect communities, businesses and nature in South Gloucestershire.”

A copy of the letter is available here: https://sites.southglos.gov.uk/newsroom/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/02/Avonmouth-and-Severnside-Enterprise-Area-ASEA-Flood-Defence-and-Ecology-Mitigation-7.pdf

Ashley Down station taking shape, with Concorde Way closure extended

23 February 2024 at 17:00

Bristol’s latest new railway station is taking shape in Ashley Down. Its platforms, footbridge, and lift are now in place following a huge effort since construction began in March 2023.

While work continues on building Bristol’s second new station, after the city’s first new station in almost a century opened last year at Portway Park & Ride, the council is leading on the project to create a gateway to the new entrance to Ashley Down station.

To carry out the station build safely, it was necessary to close Station Lane and a section of the Concorde Way walking, wheeling and cycling route. Ongoing station building works and the entrance works unfortunately require Concorde Way to remain temporarily closed for longer than anticipated.

The Secretary of State for the Department for Transport has granted an extension of the temporary closure until 30 September 2024 or until completion of the station works, whichever is earlier. It is unlikely all this extra time will be needed and work is continuing at pace to complete the new station and entrance works and to reopen Concorde Way as soon as possible.

Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “I know lots of people from Ashley Down and Lockleaze will be looking forward to using their brand new station later this year, massively improving connectivity. I recently visited the station to see how works are progressing and it’s great to see it taking shape.

“It’s disappointing that the Concorde Way closure will need to be extended and I’d like to thank residents for their continued patience. This work will be well worth it, when, later this year, we have another new railway station that serves communities in Bristol.

“New railway stations, such as Ashley Down, open up sustainable transport options for communities across Bristol and the wider region, and give us an idea of the multiple benefits a mass transit system could bring, which would be truly transformative for travelling through the city.”

To complete the works safely, an extra section of Concorde Way, from Station Road to Muller Road, which is included in the closure application but has remained open so far, will need to be closed to complete the entrance works with a diversion via Ralph Road put in place.

The Ashley Down station project partnership includes the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority working with Bristol City Council, Network Rail and Great Western Railway.

The station is part of the MetroWest programme which aims to unlock opportunities for both business and pleasure for residents between Ashley Down and Temple Meads, Filton and Henbury.

When complete, Ashley Down station will initially be served by hourly trains operating between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood from Monday to Saturday and a more limited service on Sundays. The service will be extended once the planned stations at North Filton and Henbury have opened.

Find out more about Ashley Down station at https://travelwest.info/projects/ashley-down-station

The gateway works involve connecting Station Road up to the entrance to the new station, making sure it offers Equality Act compliant access. It includes:

• an accessible route to the station entrance and a resting bench
• two Disabled parking bays and a loading bay
• improvement to the levels of Concorde Way
• new steps from Station Road to the subway
• new measures to reduce potential issues between cyclists and pedestrians in a narrow space, including painting ‘SLOW’ markings and improving visibility along Concorde Way near the subway
• a crossing point to the station entrance
• landscaping works, including flowering hedges, meadow grassland, spring flowering bulbs, planting tree and shrubs, and installing bird and bat boxes
• lighting leading up to the station entrance