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

[whole diary]

[Bmblbzzz]

Yes, it's the equivalent of the urban underpass and all the associated antisocial activities.
Likewise the bridge under Temple Meads at the northern end would not be my cup of tea at night either.
Are there architectural solutions? For example, but not really workable in this case, spaces under some of the bridges in London over the Thames are big enough to have cafes/restaurants next to the walkway. These stay open into the night making for a busier environment.
I'm no architect but I wonder if anyone could come up with workable solutions to the issue?

You mean Avon Street and/or Gas Lane? Or even Kingsland Road as well. I've never heard of anything nasty happening there but they're not exactly pleasant (albeit for other reasons) in the daytime.

[Red Squirrel]

I presume johnneyw is referring to this:

Meanwhile, Bristol City Council have applied (to themselves, of course) for planning permission to install a new 4m wide shared cycle path and pedestrian walkway running for about 450m south-eastwards from the ferry landing stage towards Not Arena Island. Plans are at https://www.bristol.gov.uk/planning-and-building-regulations/look-at-and-track-planning-applications ref 19/01051/LA.

The walkway will consist of pontoons floating in the Floating Harbour, and will pass under the northern end of Temple Meads Station.

[Bmblbzzz]

Of course! My misinterpretation of "would" lead me to think he was referring to something that already exists. 

Of course something similar already does exist, alongside the New Cut and under whatever they call the Inner Circuit Road nowadays (Temple Way, I think). And Mrs Bmblbzzz, who used to work nearby, has reported unsettling events there, (under that bridge) though nothing specific (daytime).

[johnneyw]

Yes, it's the equivalent of the urban underpass and all the associated antisocial activities.
Likewise the bridge under Temple Meads at the northern end would not be my cup of tea at night either.
Are there architectural solutions? For example, but not really workable in this case, spaces under some of the bridges in London over the Thames are big enough to have cafes/restaurants next to the walkway. These stay open into the night making for a busier environment.
I'm no architect but I wonder if anyone could come up with workable solutions to the issue?

You mean Avon Street and/or Gas Lane? Or even Kingsland Road as well. I've never heard of anything nasty happening there but they're not exactly pleasant (albeit for other reasons) in the daytime.

Neither the Avon Street Bridge nor the Cattle Market Road underpass would fill me full of joy to walk through at night. 😕  That, though, was just an example I gave.
I was thinking more about what to do about the proposed river walkway when it goes under the railway lines to avoid the sort of antisocial activities that you find in some underpasses especially after dark. Not an easy one that. Good lighting helps but on it's own, tends not to be sufficient and it's not even as if there would be a lot of cars passing either.
Perhaps a wider walking space under the railway? Perhaps a bit of thought into the general look? I'll give a recent example here. On a visit to Portsmouth a fortnight back, I used the underpass beneath the railway at Portsmouth Harbour Station to get to the Gunwharf Quays district. Now, rather than the usual grotty railway underpass, this one was well lit with nicely finished walls and ceiling, predominantly painted white. What struck me was that there was no graffiti, not just a little but absolutely none at all. No litter either.
Now, I admit this wasn't night time and it is a busy concourse but it really was not what I expected to encounter.

[Red Squirrel]

Of course something similar already does exist, alongside the New Cut and under whatever they call the Inner Circuit Road nowadays (Temple Way, I think). And Mrs Bmblbzzz, who used to work nearby, has reported unsettling events there, (under that bridge) though nothing specific (daytime).

<pedant mode>Floating Harbour, not New Cut. And it's been Temple Way since it was built.</pedant mode>

Some people call the area between the footpath under the bridge and the bridge abutment 'home'... quite a sheltered spot, though perhaps not so very much too Hot about three o'clock in the morning...

[TonyK]

Of course something similar already does exist, alongside the New Cut and under whatever they call the Inner Circuit Road nowadays (Temple Way, I think). And Mrs Bmblbzzz, who used to work nearby, has reported unsettling events there, (under that bridge) though nothing specific (daytime).

<pedant mode>Floating Harbour, not New Cut. And it's been Temple Way since it was built.</pedant mode>

Ah! I know what you mean now. I was trying to recall a footpath under Bath Bridge.

Neither the Avon Street Bridge nor the Cattle Market Road underpass would fill me full of joy to walk through at night. 😕  That, though, was just an example I gave.

Me neither, although I do park my car there occasionally.

I was thinking more about what to do about the proposed river walkway when it goes under the railway lines to avoid the sort of antisocial activities that you find in some underpasses especially after dark. Not an easy one that. Good lighting helps but on it's own, tends not to be sufficient and it's not even as if there would be a lot of cars passing either.
Perhaps a wider walking space under the railway? Perhaps a bit of thought into the general look? I'll give a recent example here. On a visit to Portsmouth a fortnight back, I used the underpass beneath the railway at Portsmouth Harbour Station to get to the Gunwharf Quays district. Now, rather than the usual grotty railway underpass, this one was well lit with nicely finished walls and ceiling, predominantly painted white. What struck me was that there was no graffiti, not just a little but absolutely none at all. No litter either.
Now, I admit this wasn't night time and it is a busy concourse but it really was not what I expected to encounter.

Good lighting is a must. CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) might put an opportunist off, but it's still no good for the victim. An avuncular old copper saying "Mind how you go!" might work, but won't happen.

[Red Squirrel]

An avuncular old copper saying "Mind how you go!" might work...

...or they could perhaps project this, in a loop, onto the underside of the bridge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sg-2vtu0GE

[Bmblbzzz]

Yes, Floating Harbour, sorry. Silly mistake, especially as I did think about it.

There used to be cave-like sloping sections of mud and rock under the bridge but they've been fenced off for a while, presumably to deter those who call it home (which of course doesn't solve any problem at all, but that's perhaps not for this thread).

[johnneyw]

I was on the Severn Riveria Express for a quick shop in town today but got a bit distracted looking at the demolition work on the former Post Office building next to Temple Meads. The "tower" on the left hand side of both of Red Squirrel's earlier photos was being rapidly pulled apart by the big grabber thingy that they were using. By the time of my return journey from Temple Meads on the 16.35, I can confirm that most of it was gone.

[Phantom]

In the absence of anything else much happening at Auld Leakie (aka Temple Meads), I am thrilled to hear that the Pumpkin (Platform 10/12) is to be refurbished and re-branded as a 'Coffee Room'. Full details at https://www.bristol.gov.uk/planning-and-building-regulations/look-at-and-track-planning-applications, search for 19/01075/LA.

Not seen the big exciting addition in the underpass mentioned anywhere yet . . .
Between the ladies and Gents toilets there is now a water machine for drinking water . . . WOW !!

I've been away in Spain, will try to remember to get a pic of the PO building tonight whilst awaiting my service back to Weston

[chuffed]

Not seen the big exciting addition in the underpass mentioned anywhere yet . . .
Between the ladies and Gents toilets there is now a water machine for drinking water . . . WOW !!

Cannot help wondering where the water for said machine might be coming from

[Red Squirrel]

Not seen the big exciting addition in the underpass mentioned anywhere yet . . .

I presume you mean the eastern entrance?

It would be interesting to have a look at the lease that Good and Proper were given for their recently-opened retail unit, which will have to go when the subway is extended.

The timings and details will be subject to negotiations between Network Rail and the University of Bristol. One can imagine that there may be a debate going on as to who pays how much for what...

According to University of Bristol:

After feedback from Bristol City Council and other partners, we submitted a revised masterplan in February 2018. This was unanimously approved subject to final details.

This shows changes to the layout of the buildings to allow easier access through the campus and provide more open and welcoming spaces for staff, students and the public to enjoy.

The main changes are:

Cattle Market Road site

• Three buildings instead of four; two academic and one residential.
• Siting the main academic building parallel to the harbour to improve opportunities for a vibrant waterfront area.
• Strengthening the connection to the potential entrance to Temple Meads Station.
• Re-aligning the pedestrian, cycle and transport links to work with the new layout.

(My bold)

The 'emerging masterplan' will be 'shared for wider consumption' in Spring 2019 - so, soon! The extension to the underpass presumably won't open while the UoB Campus is a building site, so Good and Proper are probably alright for a couple of years...

[Phantom]

Not seen the big exciting addition in the underpass mentioned anywhere yet . . .

I presume you mean the eastern entrance?

As you come down the steps from Platforms 3/4 it is just on the right hand side - As long as I am not running for my train I will get a piccy on the way home this evening

[Red Squirrel]

Not seen the big exciting addition in the underpass mentioned anywhere yet . . .

I presume you mean the eastern entrance?

As you come down the steps from Platforms 3/4 it is just on the right hand side - As long as I am not running for my train I will get a piccy on the way home this evening

Ah, I think we are at angry dolphins here - I'm talking about the extension of the subway, you're talking about the new drinking fountain...

[Phantom]

Water fountain