Improved bus facilities at Bristol Parkway for metrobus services
Work has been completed on upgrades to Bristol Parkway’s bus facilities, to allow for an expanded metrobus network.
The improvements see new waiting shelters with real-time departure screens and a ticket machine; a realigned road layout to allow for a through route for buses; a better short stay and drop off parking area; and will see renewed cycle parking at the front of the station to be completed in the coming weeks.
Funded by the West of England Combined Authority; South Gloucestershire Council; the Department for Transport; and GWR’s Station Development Match Fund, the investment will allow for an expanded metrobus network to serve Bristol Parkway, as part of the Cribbs Patchway metrobus extension [CPME].
The CPME is a £57 million investment by the West of England Combined Authority and South Gloucestershire Council to improve the public transport network by providing an alternative, fast and direct bus route between Bristol Parkway Station and The Mall at Cribbs Causeway. By offering faster, reliable bus travel it aims to increase the number of people travelling on public transport and reduce the amount of traffic on local roads reducing congestion and carbon emissions. The scheme has included replacing an old railway bridge with a new, larger bridge, installing new bus lanes, upgrading bus stops and improving walking and cycling facilities.
Picture shows Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Strategic Infrastructure for South Gloucestershire Council Cllr Steve Reade, and West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris.
GWR Interim Business Development Director Tom Pierpoint said:
“We are really delighted to have delivered a high-quality interchange between bus and rail at Bristol Parkway, strongly supported by our partners at the West of England Combined Authority and South Gloucestershire Council.
“We believe that providing good interchange between rail and other sustainable travel modes is crucial to the success of the communities we serve, and I look forward to continuing this work across our network in the future."
Presently, existing bus services continue to operate to and from Bristol Parkway, but these improvements will allow for the future expansion of metrobus services. metrobus services are due to start along the CPME route in spring 2023.
West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris said:
“It’s great to see the four new bus stops at Parkway Station which are part of a £256,000 cash injection from the West of England Combined Authority which I am proud to lead. Passengers tell me that having a clean, comfortable and safe space to wait for the bus with real-time information on when the bus is due is very important.”
South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Strategic Infrastructure Cllr Steve Reade said: “The Cribbs Patchway metrobus extension is a key part of our record £174 million investment to improve public transport, walking and cycling facilities, and the road network in South Gloucestershire.
“As part of our Climate Emergency aims, we want to enable people to switch to more sustainable transport options which help reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. These new metrobus stops at Bristol Parkway Station, combined with the other improvements being made on the wider road network, support our ambition to make public transport an attractive alternative.”
GWR has been providing rail services throughout the pandemic and has worked to ensure that these are as safe as possible. This includes increased cleaning regimes and the use of a virucidal spray; extra staff at key stations to offer help and guidance; and processes in place to help customers maintain a safe distance where possible, such as restricting the number of reservations available.
Notes to editors
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the Covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR was recently awarded an extension to its direct award franchise (called DA3), which shall run up to 31 March 2023, with an option to extend for a further year.
Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us
For more information on the Cribbs Patchway metrobus extension, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/cpmetrobus