Rail Minister Stephen Hammond today visited Bristol Parkway Station to see first-hand the £13 million car park improvement works.
One of the largest Station Commercial Projects Facility Fund projects that a train operator is managing, the work will see an additional 710 parking spaces created at this thriving station. Presently the car park can accommodate 1,100 vehicles and is regularly near capacity.
Managing Director for First Great Western Mark Hopwood said:
“Bristol Parkway Station serves almost three million rail passengers a year and this is expected to grow significantly when the line to London is electrified.”
“I am delighted to be able to provide the Minister with a tour of the site and the progress that has been made to date on this £13 million scheme to increase capacity at the car park, ensuring that we can cater for the increase in passenger demand both now and in the future.”
Rail Minister Stephen Hammond said:
“The Government is investing record amounts into transforming our railways and it is crucial the industry plays its part in improving facilities to meet the needs of all rail users.”
“The work at Bristol Parkway will provide vital car parking space at a station which will deal with more passengers, thanks to our plans to electrify the Great Western Main Line and the new generation of high-tech electric trains being built in the UK by Hitachi.”
Patrick Hallgate, Route Managing Director for Network Rail Western, said:
“This scheme is a fantastic example of the rail industry, local authorities and other organisations working together to improve the passenger experience. Bristol has one of the highest predicted growth rates on the Western route over the next decade and this improvement will meet that future demand. Expanding the car park at Bristol Parkway is the start of many plans we have in the pipeline to help the local economy here continue to thrive and grow.”
The new building will be clad in materials in keeping with the surrounding area. This will also reduce light and noise pollution for the station’s neighbours.
The work began in July 2013 and is due for completion by the end of March 2014.
Photo: Rail Minister Stephen Hammond (left) with Mark Hopwood (Managing Director, First Great Western) at Bristol Parkway Station.
Source: Press release from First Great Western.
Perhaps he should of went around streets of stoke gifford and see all the station commuters parked outside residents houses. This situation will only get worse once the car park is finished and the charges are high to pay for the car park!