Bristolians share support for Temple Meads regeneration
A public consultation is live on plans for Europe's largest regeneration project
It seems Bristolians are broadly in favour of plans to massively regenerate Bristol Temple Meads Train Station and the surrounding area.
A public consultation has gone live this week (January 10) on the Temple Quarter Regeneration Project, which could see several new entrances created for the train station, as well as lots of new office and business space plus thousands of new homes all around the outside.
the scheme, created through a partnership between Bristol City Council, the West of England Combined Authority, Homes England and Network Rail, has been described as one of Europe's largest regeneration schemes, with the entire thing not expected to be complete for at least a decade.
WATCH: Our video report on the Temple Quarter Regeneration Project
David runs a food market in Temple Quay just outside the station and says it's a good idea.
"I've been involved in this area for the last 10 years running the market here and I've seen it grow even in that time quite a lot," he said.
"I think, I notice there's a very prominent site right next to where we're standing here which is very empty, but I know there's a big scheme planned for that soon so it will be good to see that rather tired and sad bit of land developed into something better, and it's a really vibrant area so the more of that happens, the better."
He told us the welcome into Bristol from Temple Meads needs to be better.
"If you're arriving by train it's not a great introduction to the city, where, that's probably quite an important first impression that's missing," he said.
"So to see that area around the front of the station improve would be a very good thing."
Harry works in an office block overlooking the northern entrance to Temple Meads which, under the regeneration proposals, would essentially become the new main entrance.
The idea is to replace the current car parking with a large public square leading into the station, boasting shops, restaurants and new bus stops on the edge.
"To begin with it's probably a good idea," Harry said.
"There is a lot of empty space around that seems ripe for redevelopment.
"In terms of adding new entrances I think that's a really good idea.
"There's only two (at the moment) and they can be quite choked up during peak times."
As someone who works on the station doorstep, Harry's also in favour of more shops and the like.
"There's not really much around here in terms of shopping or restaurants so I quite like the sound of that," he said.
"Maybe a gym as well, I'd quite like that personally."
He adds though, that a big question is whether public transport would be able to cope with what is planned.
"If you're drawing a lot of attention to this area and have more shops, more homes, more places, public transport needs to be completely sorted out in Bristol," he said.
"It is abysmal to be honest."
Closer to the station's northern entrance, we met Richard and his partner, who has worked in Bristol for 40 years.
He says the plans are "brilliant".
"It needs doing," he said.
"Because every other station, if you go to Birmingham New Street or (London) Paddington they've all been done.
"Bristol's always been left behind."
He added St Philip's Marsh, which is largely industrial at the moment but could become a whole new residential community, also needs an upgrade.
"It's what Bristol needs," he said.
"I remember coming back 30 years ago and that's still the same as it was 30 years ago.
"Nothing's changed, businesses have gone, you've got empty buildings on Avon Street, you've got the empty post office land that they've taken down, demolished.
"Might as well use it for something useful."
Across the other side of the station, in Hart's Bakery, we met Tabatha.
She told us she's been living in Bristol for four years and will soon be working from one of several new office blocks being built in the area.
"I think generally it's probably a good idea," she said.
"It's been quite run down for a while...
"I will say though that they seem to be taking quite a long time about it.
"Ever since I've been here they've been doing stuff and they're still doing stuff."
If you want to read more about exactly what is planned, you can do so by following this link.
Meanwhile, you can complete the public consultation and see more information about the plans, here.