Ashley Down Railway Station gets reopening date
The station, which closed in 1964, will open later this month
An old Bristol railway station, which closed to the public nearly 60 years ago, will reopen for use later this month.
The West of England Combined Authority says Ashley Down Station on Station Road will start taking passengers again on Saturday 28th September.
Work to reopen the site has been ongoing for more than a year, with the station having closed in 1964.
West of England Mayor Dan Norris said: "I’m delighted that Ashley Down will be welcoming passengers onto its platforms for the first time later this month.
“We need to get more people travelling by train – that’s why I’ve committed funding to support more frequent services on popular local routes including the Henbury Line. Ashley Down is the first of three new stations along the line with North Filton and Henbury planned over the next few years.
“I know people living in this part of Bristol will warmly welcome the new station which will give them more sustainable travel options to get into the centre of the city.
"The last time people caught a train here, astronaut Neil Armstrong hadn’t walked on the moon.”
The station is likely to see significant use immediately with the Gloucestershire cricket ground (now known as the Seat Unique Stadium), which is just a short walk away, due to host a One Day International between England's men and Australia, on Sunday 29th.
Funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with contributions from GWR and Bristol City Council, Ashley Down is the second new railway station to open in the city in 100 years. It follows the opening of Portway Park & Ride station in August 2023.
It will feature on the line between Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Abbey Wood, with an hourly service between the two.
The station features waiting shelters, a footbridge and lifts linking the platforms and cycle parking for 20 bikes. Construction started in March 2023.
The new station is part of the MetroWest Phase 2 project which will see the reopening of the Henbury Line with new stations planned in North Filton and Henbury.
It is also part of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s wider plans to drive a change in travel choices, getting people out of their cars, improving air quality and connectivity across Bristol and the wider region.
The new station’s entrance is on Concorde Way where the path meets Station Road. Concorde Way is set to reopen in time for the station opening to the public.
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of Bristol City Council’s Transport & Connectivity Committee, said: “We’re thrilled to see another station opening in Bristol. It will be a valuable asset for people in the area who will have a convenient new way to travel to Bristol Temple Meads and beyond.
"I’d like to say a big thank you to people who live near the station for their patience while all the works were carried out. We hope they will enjoy their new station and the benefits it will bring."
A spokesperson for Great Western Railway says such new stations are vital, while Network Rail say they are thrilled.