Bristol Temple Meads - station, facilities, incidents and events (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

But wouldn't it really have required two platforms, in which case the other one would be, logically, Platform -1? This doesn't sound like a good numbering scheme!

Why not?  At school we had one corridor with classrooms 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 and -1 and it didn't cause a problem.  Mind you, I went to a somewhat selective school, so perhaps it might cause problems in public ...

I supose there could be a platform 1 for 5 car and a 1 3/4 for 9 car 

Numbers are a mess - 11 and 12 are the same platform, and platform 14 isn't between 13 and 15 - it's at the bottom of station approach.   Wouldn't find a similar confusion elsewhere - or would you?   

Has all the track and signalling been completed yet?   If it has and the platform numbers were left in that state that would Suprise me, the staging of renewals it is often decided to limit the alterations to data bases until the end because there can be a knock-on effect elsewhere

_{Edit: Fixed quote (Red Squirrel)}

Just to be clear, grahame's joking about Platform 14. It's a bit of an in-joke as BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) has no Platform 14; the name has been used for a venue within that part of the Old Station which is not going to return to operational use. It's a bit of a silly name, IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion), because you can imagine people assuming it is actually somewhere near Platform 13 or 15 of the operational station which, of course, it isn't - it's about 250m to the west.

Platforms 11 and 12, like all BRI's split platforms, are signalled as two platforms. All is explained in this document: https://www.giocondarail.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Bristol-Temple-Meads-Print.pdf

The track and signalling work is substantially (possibly totally) complete. The potential lengthening of Platform 1 and potential addition of Platform 0 are unfunded aspirations and so do not form part of any current plan.

Why is there no P.14? I'm sure it's been covered before on this forum, but the simple answer is that platforms on the London side of the subway are odd-numbered while those on the country side are even-numbered. Platforms 13 and 15 are not split, and are mostly on the London side of the subway, so have odd numbers.

Sadly this coherence will be lost if a Platform 0 were to be added next to Platform 1, of course...

[Bmblbzzz]

Why is there no P.14? I'm sure it's been covered before on this forum, but the simple answer is that platforms on the London side of the subway are odd-numbered while those on the country side are even-numbered. Platforms 13 and 15 are not split, and are mostly on the London side of the subway, so have odd numbers.

Sadly this coherence will be lost if a Platform 0 were to be added next to Platform 1, of course...

So best skip the 0 and go straight to -1!

[TonyK]

So best skip the 0 and go straight to -1!

Indeed. What possible confusion could that cause?

[Red Squirrel]

Bristol Temple Meads to become testbed for passenger tech

A multi-million pound programme will turn Bristol Temple Meads into the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)’s first ‘Station Innovation Zone’, trialling new technologies designed to upgrade passengers’ experience.

Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership, and Network Rail, have announced today (Monday 17 October 2022) that Bristol’s iconic train station is to host trials of innovative passenger technologies thanks to a new partnership between Network Rail and Connected Places Catapult.

The programme is selecting start-ups aiming to test new ways to improve various aspects of the passenger experience: from making journeys smoother with smarter ticketing, to making stations more accessible with wayfinding apps; from using AI to improve people flow, to designing better facilities using human-centred design principles.

The Catapult is directing millions of pounds of Innovate UK funding into the programme, which sees Bristol Temple Meads named as the UK’s first Station Innovation Zone. The five-year programme will pioneer the approach and plans are in place to roll out the model to other stations as it succeeds.

Applications opened today https://cp.catapult.org.uk/opportunity/innovation-funding-programme-station-innovation-zone/ for start-ups with ideas that could be trialled in the Station Innovation Zone. Passengers are likely to see the first trials beginning early next year.

This announcement of the Station Innovation Zone follows the Government’s levelling-up announcement of £95m for the Bristol Temple Quarter regeneration programme and the Catapult funding will complement the ongoing revitalisation of the station. Around £60m of the funding from Government will enable improvements in and around Bristol Temple Meads Station, including three new entrances to the station, as well as infrastructure works and new public spaces nearby.

The University of Bristol is developing its presence in Temple Quarter near the station, recently opening the Temple Quarter Research Hub, housing the Bristol Digital Futures Institute with a large scale data-centre and a sector agnostic digital twin.

Francis McGarry, Network Rail’s Wales & Western Investment Director, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Connected Places Catapult on this new programme which will provide SMEs with crucial funding opportunities and Network Rail with new, innovative ideas on how to further enhance the experience of our passengers.

“We are committed to developing Bristol Temple Meads into a world class transport hub for the benefit of our passengers, the city of Bristol and wider West of England region, so it is fitting Bristol Temple Meads has been chosen as the UK’s first Station Innovation Zone.”

Indro Mukerjee, CEO^▸ (Chief Executive Officer), Innovate UK said: “Innovate UK is strongly committed to partnerships to deliver future transport systems that are connected, accessible, sustainable, and safe. So, we see this partnership between our Connected Places Catapult and Network Rail as an important step to support delivery of passenger technology for the future.”

Nicola Yates, CEO, Connected Places Catapult, said: “Innovation is tough in any industry and rail is especially hard because of the number of assessments and permissions required. The net effect is that it takes too much time and costs too much for most small businesses to engage. Partnering with Network Rail to create a multi-year Station Innovation Zone in Bristol’s vibrant Temple Quarter will enable us to support numerous small companies in navigating these challenges and benefit passengers’ experience of the station.”

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “We are delighted that Connected Places Catapult and Innovate UK have chosen Bristol Temple Meads as the country’s first Station Innovation Zone. Temple Meads is at the heart of Temple Quarter, and the innovation funding from the Catapult, combined with recent funding of £95million Bristol secured from Government, matches our commitment to making Temple Meads and its surrounding area a world-class gateway to the city region. This is an exciting new chapter for Brunel’s iconic train station as we prepare for new sustainable homes, quality jobs and inclusive opportunities in Bristol.”

Source: Network Rail

[Phantom]

Bristol Temple Meads to become testbed for passenger tech

A multi-million pound programme will turn Bristol Temple Meads into the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)’s first ‘Station Innovation Zone’, trialling new technologies designed to upgrade passengers’ experience.

Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership, and Network Rail, have announced today (Monday 17 October 2022) that Bristol’s iconic train station is to host trials of innovative passenger technologies thanks to a new partnership between Network Rail and Connected Places Catapult.

The programme is selecting start-ups aiming to test new ways to improve various aspects of the passenger experience: from making journeys smoother with smarter ticketing, to making stations more accessible with wayfinding apps; from using AI to improve people flow, to designing better facilities using human-centred design principles.

The Catapult is directing millions of pounds of Innovate UK funding into the programme, which sees Bristol Temple Meads named as the UK’s first Station Innovation Zone. The five-year programme will pioneer the approach and plans are in place to roll out the model to other stations as it succeeds.

Applications opened today https://cp.catapult.org.uk/opportunity/innovation-funding-programme-station-innovation-zone/ for start-ups with ideas that could be trialled in the Station Innovation Zone. Passengers are likely to see the first trials beginning early next year.

This announcement of the Station Innovation Zone follows the Government’s levelling-up announcement of £95m for the Bristol Temple Quarter regeneration programme and the Catapult funding will complement the ongoing revitalisation of the station. Around £60m of the funding from Government will enable improvements in and around Bristol Temple Meads Station, including three new entrances to the station, as well as infrastructure works and new public spaces nearby.

The University of Bristol is developing its presence in Temple Quarter near the station, recently opening the Temple Quarter Research Hub, housing the Bristol Digital Futures Institute with a large scale data-centre and a sector agnostic digital twin.

Francis McGarry, Network Rail’s Wales & Western Investment Director, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Connected Places Catapult on this new programme which will provide SMEs with crucial funding opportunities and Network Rail with new, innovative ideas on how to further enhance the experience of our passengers.

“We are committed to developing Bristol Temple Meads into a world class transport hub for the benefit of our passengers, the city of Bristol and wider West of England region, so it is fitting Bristol Temple Meads has been chosen as the UK’s first Station Innovation Zone.”

Indro Mukerjee, CEO^▸ (Chief Executive Officer), Innovate UK said: “Innovate UK is strongly committed to partnerships to deliver future transport systems that are connected, accessible, sustainable, and safe. So, we see this partnership between our Connected Places Catapult and Network Rail as an important step to support delivery of passenger technology for the future.”

Nicola Yates, CEO, Connected Places Catapult, said: “Innovation is tough in any industry and rail is especially hard because of the number of assessments and permissions required. The net effect is that it takes too much time and costs too much for most small businesses to engage. Partnering with Network Rail to create a multi-year Station Innovation Zone in Bristol’s vibrant Temple Quarter will enable us to support numerous small companies in navigating these challenges and benefit passengers’ experience of the station.”

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “We are delighted that Connected Places Catapult and Innovate UK have chosen Bristol Temple Meads as the country’s first Station Innovation Zone. Temple Meads is at the heart of Temple Quarter, and the innovation funding from the Catapult, combined with recent funding of £95million Bristol secured from Government, matches our commitment to making Temple Meads and its surrounding area a world-class gateway to the city region. This is an exciting new chapter for Brunel’s iconic train station as we prepare for new sustainable homes, quality jobs and inclusive opportunities in Bristol.”

Source: Network Rail

I have read all this but am non the wiser what it actually means, just paragraphs off business speak without actually stating anything

[Bmblbzzz]

In terms of "making stations more accessible with wayfinding apps", Bristol's own Legible City mapping and signage has to be a no-brainer.

[Red Squirrel]

‘Connected Places Catapult’ does seem a very silly name. Reminds me of Siobhan Sharpe’s ‘Perfect Curve’…

[TonyK]

I guess if you are the sort that likes to call a spade a multi-function non-mechanical soil inversion implement, this will make perfect sense to you. "Catapult" is a bit ambiguous, though - is it Roman, steam, or Dennis the Menace? I suppose if Jacob Rees Mogg had been involved, it would have been called the Tethered Termini Trebuchet.

[broadgage]

I suspect a lot of needless complication.
Consider for example the refurbishment of London Kings Cross, that resulted in needlessly long walking routes, and an apparent reduction in seating*

Or a bit nearer home, Taunton station, where the last improvements included blocking up the exit from the down platform to the taxi rank, complaints about this were dealt with by moving the taxi rank to the bus stop, in order that buses and taxis may get in each others way.
And installing NON MANNED ticket gates at the bus stop/taxi rank exit.

*Much of the seating is "taken over" by one or other of the numerous expensive catering outlets, the staff of which are very well trained in implying (but without actually stating this) that the seating is for their customers.
"Your menu sir"
"Are you ready to order yet, sir"
"Maybe a little latter ?"

Stations should be primarily for catching trains, and alighting therefrom. And not about the "retail experience"

[TonyK]

Meantime, I am not sure if the potential for nearby hotel accommodation has increased or decreased following the fire at the Grosvenor Hotel. Bristol City Council says it is committed to redeveloping the site as part of the Temple Quarter rejuvenation, with or without the privately-owned building.

[Noggin]

Meantime, I am not sure if the potential for nearby hotel accommodation has increased or decreased following the fire at the Grosvenor Hotel. Bristol City Council says it is committed to redeveloping the site as part of the Temple Quarter rejuvenation, with or without the privately-owned building.

One local developer had suggested on Twitter that the owner of the Grosvenor Hotel had pretty much refused to enter into negotiations to sell over the years and that the most likely scenario was that Bristol City Council would start compulsory purchase order proceedings.

In other news, it looks like soil testing has started on the Kwik Fit site.

[eXPassenger]

Meantime, I am not sure if the potential for nearby hotel accommodation has increased or decreased following the fire at the Grosvenor Hotel. Bristol City Council says it is committed to redeveloping the site as part of the Temple Quarter rejuvenation, with or without the privately-owned building.

It has been closed for over 20 years so no change.

[johnneyw]

This picture was taken this evening at the southern end of Temple Meads showing that a "false ceiling" has now also been erected there, presumably for work to commence at that end.  With so much of the station's redevelopment being out of sight to the public, this is one of the few visible signs of how things are moving along.

[infoman]

https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/barbaric-behaviour-weeping-willow-trees-chopped-down/?utm_source=Bristol24%2F7&utm_campaign=3afe1b4e01-bristol247_newsletter_011222&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_67a9a4e1bd-3afe1b4e01-38758697&mc_cid=3afe1b4e01&mc_eid=86ae7efe71

[infoman]

Monday 5th december approx 12:45pm in Brunels station area,five ambulances and two fire engines seen.

The ambulances started to leave the area approx 12:55pm.