BRISTOL | Full Summary of Projects [Archive] - Page 12

bertyboy

March 1st, 2012, 10:28 PM

Very true, Bertyboy. I walked under Stapleton Road bridge an hour ago. It's very much two bridges, and the disused one has some sort of metal archwork crossing it. Looks like it's part of the structure now, probably a running repair some years back, and also looks like it wasn't put there with OHLE in mind. To my (layman) eye, it looks like it needs a new bridge, or at least a lot of work, and that may be part of the £60 million cost for the project.

Quad-tracking to my mind is crucial. Without it, not only will nothing improve, but I reckon it will worsen. Royal Portbury seems to be getting busier - I see more trains than I remember previously. SBL has double the 2007 service. Coming soon will be traffic from Avonmouth deep water container port and the depot for electric trains. Without four tracks, we will have fewer passenger services, not more.

Unfortunately, the decision to drop to double-track was short sighted and was only taken because BR didn't want to shell out to replace the bridges. Since then, Filton Bank suffers ever increasing congestion. It was alleviated slightly by the third platform for Wales services at Abbey Wood.
The cost of replacing the bridges, re-slewing the existing tracks, new tracks and new signalling is like to cost considerably more than the £60m quoted. And if we are to have S-Bahn services, that would presumably require 25kV OHLE at more cost. I think it would be well worth it though.
As for the Hallen Loop that is being mooted for passenger services, that would realistically also need quad-tracking to avoid congestion with the DSCT traffic when it opens. And the costs of that will make Filton bank pale into insignficance, given most of it is in deep cuttings.

BoyamIjealous

March 3rd, 2012, 02:43 PM

Unfortunately, the decision to drop to double-track was short sighted and was only taken because BR didn't want to shell out to replace the bridges. Since then, Filton Bank suffers ever increasing congestion. It was alleviated slightly by the third platform for Wales services at Abbey Wood.
The cost of replacing the bridges, re-slewing the existing tracks, new tracks and new signalling is like to cost considerably more than the £60m quoted. And if we are to have S-Bahn services, that would presumably require 25kV OHLE at more cost. I think it would be well worth it though.
As for the Hallen Loop that is being mooted for passenger services, that would realistically also need quad-tracking to avoid congestion with the DSCT traffic when it opens. And the costs of that will make Filton bank pale into insignficance, given most of it is in deep cuttings.

The thought about extra track on the Hallen loop occurred to me, too. I had a ride home that way during the time the mainline was closed for the building of the third platform at FIT. It was an interesting diversion of about an hour. I think a part of the Hallen loop remains single track - that will definitely need sorting. Tripling would help, but would be horrendous expensifold, when we really need thriftimost on the banky balancer. I reckon whatever happens will need to be done with what is available now, more or less. It was only redoubled less than 20 years ago.
That ride showed other interesting bits, too, including an outbound Cross Country service waiting for us at Avonmouth, and another at Clifton Down. I never got to see one crossing the Arches in Cheltenham Road. I also realised how weak the bridge at Sea Mills must be. Coming home on the Severn Beach train, I always assumed we were slowing to stop at the station, but it seems there is a 5mph limit on the bridge.
Will the tracks need re-slewing for Filton Bank? Certainly, the two missing lines from Days Junction will fit through the original opening at Lawrence Hill, and over a new / repaired Stapleton Road bridge. Much of that work could be done without interrupting services, although after Horfield, it gets trickier. The third line doesn't follow the route of the original line, so a bit of bending will be needed.
25Kv OHLE will be in place between BTM and Parkway by 2016, and new signalling will be needed for the electric trains anyway, so there would be something of an economy of scale to do it all in one swoop. I think the case should be made for electric running to Avonmouth from Filton. An awful lot of freight will be coming out of there soon, and if it is not electrified, then either engines will have to be changed, or hybrids built, or diesels running for long distances under wires, all of which will prove ultimately more expensive than carrying on OHLE for a few miles. Short-term thinking rules,normally, but this needs looking at urgently.
We now know that Bristol City Council are throwing their weght fully behind the proposals for the Greater Bristol Metro, along with the other three local councils, not just making occasional supportive noises.
http://greaterbristolrail.com/ - latest news page. Me likey!

Pompey77

March 3rd, 2012, 03:37 PM

Bit of an update on Finzel's Reach, as I work just behind on Victoria St...

I noticed today that it looks as though work as started on the footbridge elements, linking Castle Park to Finzels. I notice from renders of the project (below) that the (cool, in my opinion) footbridge enters FR through a "hole" in an existing wall (I assume part of the old brewery?). The wall in question has recently had a load of scaffolding and plastic sheeting put up in front of it with work commencing inside.

http://www.finzelsreach.com/images/image1.png

Would seem odd to start work on the hole if the bridge wasn't about to follow - but who knows!

Noticed yesterday that there is now - by design or accident - a very big hole in the wall.

bertyboy

March 3rd, 2012, 06:52 PM

Off topic, but as this thread seems to get more views that some of the sub forums in UK & Ireland, why isn't a sub-forum itself, so that the various projects can be discussed in their own threads?

Seems odd.

Schmeek

March 4th, 2012, 12:16 AM

It's been done to death over the last fe years berty. Like banging your head against a brick wall, I'm afraid. Having said that, we have a few more on here than we have had at any time previously with more activity as well so maybe a fresh request should be made.
There was a thread regarding the need for a south of england subforum somewhere a while back, but for some reason the mods were nowhere to be seen or heard or found...

bertyboy

March 4th, 2012, 02:16 PM

Shame. There's been so much going on in Bristol it's hard to work out what's finished, on-hold, in progress, cancelled etc.

I thought it might be interesting to go through all the developments discussed at the start of this thread and check where we're at with them. This is my understanding of the current status. Feel free to correct me.

Development - Harbouside
Value - £287 million
Size - 16.3 acres (6.59 hectares)
Developer - Crest Nicholson
Architects - Stride Treglown

Status: Ongoing, mostly complete.

Development - Temple Quay North
Value - £300 Million
Size - 7.4 hectares (18.4 acres)
Developer - Castlemore Securities

Status: Mostly completed

Development - Finzels Reach
Value - £255 Million
Size - 5.68 acres (2.3 Hectares)
Developer - HDG Mansur

Status: Under construction. Complete Winter 2012?

Development - Bristol University Masterplan
Value - £250 million
Size - 38,000 sq m
Developer - Bristol University
Architects -

Status: Cancelled (?)

Development - Glassfields
Value - £65 Million
Size - 32,000 sq m
Developer - Royal London Assessment Managment
Architects - Atkins Walters Webster

Status: On Hold.

Development - Lake Shore
Value -
Size - 4.65 hectares
Developer - Urban Splash
Architects - Acanthus Ferguson Mann

Status: Just about completed!

Development - Bristol Bus Station
Value -
Size -
Developer -
Architects -

Status: Completed

Development - Museum of Bristol
Value - £18.9 Million
Size -
Developer - Bristol City Council
Architects - Lab Architecture

Status: Completed

Development - Cabot House
Value - £23 Million
Size -
Developer - Westmark
Architects - Atkins Walters Webster

Status: Completed

Development - Paintworks
Value -
Size -
Developer - Verve
Architects -

Status: Completed

Development - Island Site
Value -
Size -
Developer - Temple Circus Developments (Formally Bass)
Architects -

Status: New scheme in planning.

Development - Redcliffe Wharf
Value -
Size -
Developer - Westmark
Architects - TBC

Status: ?

Development - Temple Meads Diesel Depot (Former Bristol Arena)
Value -
Size -
Developer - Bristol City Council and SWRDA
Architects -

Status: On Hold

Development - S-Park (Science Park)
Value - £300 million
Size - 51 acres ( 21 Hectares)
Developer - SWRDA
Architects - TBC

Status: Under construction. NCC opened.

Development - Southmead 'Superhospital'
Value - £374 Million
Size -
Developer - North Bristol NHS Trust/ Laing O’Rourke
Architects -

Status: Under construction.

Development - Hengrove Park
Value -
Size -
Developer -
Architects -

Status: ? I know the swimming pool is open, but what else?

Development - Wapping Wharf
Value - TBC
Size - 4.25 hectares
Developer - Umberslade (Wapping Wharf Ltd)
Architects - Associated Architects, Turley Associates and Gillespies

Status: On Hold?

Development - Redcliffe Village
Value - £63 Million
Size -
Developer - Midshire Estates and Crown Dilmun
Architects -

Status: Bits and pieces done, but other than that...?

Development - National Wildlife Conservation Park
Value - £50 million
Size - 136-acres (55 hectares)
Developer - Bristol Zoo Gardens
Architects - TBC

Status: On Hold, awaiting outcome of M5 Junction plan.

Development - Bristol Rovers Memorial Ground
Value -
Size -
Developer -
Architects -

Status: Cancelled. Plan to move to UWE @ Frenchay.

Development - Temple Gate
Value -
Size -
Developer - Ballymore
Architects -

Status: On Hold

Development - St Mary Le Port
Value - £150 Million
Size - 5 acres (2 Hectares)
Developer - Deeley Freed Estates
Architects -

Status: ?? Is this still in planning?

Development - Bristol Port Company
Value - £500 million
Size - Deep Water Container Port

Status: Under construction

Development - One Dove Lane
Value -
Size - possible 40 storey tower
Developer - Places for People and PG Group
Architects -

Status: Cancelled

Development - Bridewell Island
Value -
Size -
Developer - Urban Splash
Architects -

Status: Part On Hold. Part in planning (hotel)

Development - Severn Barrage
Value - Billions
Size - 10 Miles Long approx
Developer - Government with Private Partners
Architects - ?

Status: Cancelled

Development - Feeder Canal
Value - £280 Million
Size - 30 acre
Developer - RPS Planning
Architects - TBC

Status: ?

Development - Frenchay Hospital
Value -
Size -
Developer - North Bristol NHS Trust
Architects -

Status: Community Hospital. Planning. Construction to start when services move to new Southmead Hospital.

Development - Bank Place (Formerly Temple Way House)
Value -
Size - 28,582 sq m
Developer - Carlyle Development Group
Architects -

Status: On Hold until prelet.

Development - The Cathedral
Value -
Size - 83 residential apartments and 420 sqm of office space
Developer - Urban Creation
Architects - Atkins Walters Webster

Status: Cancelled

Development - Essense (Gloucester Road)
Value -
Size -
Developer - Lindon Homes
Architects - TBC

Status: Complete

Development- Broadmead Offices (Plots 12a & 12b)
Value - £65 million
Size - 360,000 Sq Ft (180,000 Sq Ft per Building)
Developer - Bristol Alliance
Architects - EPR ARCHITECTS

Status: On Hold

Development - Great Western Dockyard
Value -
Size -
Developer - SS Great Britain Trust
Architects - Stride Treglown

Status: Complete ?

Development - Redcliffe Civic Justice Centre
Value -
Size -
Developer -
Architects -

Status: Complete

Development - Tulip Inn
Value -
Size -
Developer -Premier Inn
Architects -Stride Treglown

Status: Under Construction

Development - O and M Shed
Value -
Size - 18,256 sq ft (1,696 sq m) leisure and residential
Developer - Cordwell Property
Architects -

Status: ?

Development - Huller House/Cheese Warehouse
Value - £6 Million
Size -
Developer -
Architects - Atkins Walters Webster

Status: ?

Development - Former Post Office Depot Cattlemarket Road
Value -
Size -
Developer - Sheppardess Holdings for Media Office Space Ltd
Architects - Acanthus Ferguson Mann

Cancelled. New plans to convert to artist studios.

Development - Mc Arthurs Warehouse
Value -
Size -
Developer - Formally Quada Harbourside
Architects -

Status: Cancelled?

Development - Concorde Museum
Value - £12 Million
Size -
Developer - Concorde Trust
Architects - TBC

Status: Planning. BA/Airbus to make a decision this month between Concorde Trust and Save Concorde Group proposals.

Development - Portwall Tower
Value -
Size - 62,563 sq ft (5,812.1 sq m)
Developer -
Architects -

Status: ?

------
All the rest are already shown as completed, although I hadn't realised the Aardman offices had been completed.

ArrHo

March 4th, 2012, 02:39 PM

Shame the weathers naff today was hoping to take some new photos of Bristol. I will get round to it at some point any requests of things you want to see?

bertyboy

March 4th, 2012, 03:03 PM

... any requests of things you want to see?

The BCC planning team jumping off Cabot Tower?

ArrHo

March 4th, 2012, 04:33 PM

If that happened someone would take pictures

geoffbradford

March 4th, 2012, 06:03 PM

tpm

March 4th, 2012, 07:05 PM

BoyamIjealous

March 4th, 2012, 09:49 PM

Some projects that might be worth adding:

Bristol Airport Expansion (£150m) + Hotel - some smaller bits started, some major building work in the process of being tendered for.

Bristol General Hospital redevelopment - waiting for planning permission I think.

And perhaps a link to both the BRT schemes and the metrorail site.

I think the BRT and Metrorail projects, and maybe also the railway electrification scheme, are together worth their own thread, let alone link. They are horizontal rather than vertical, but huge building works, with potential to change the way things are done in Bristol in a way that a simple building could never do.

Schmeek

March 4th, 2012, 10:03 PM

Nice one berty. Looking through that, there has been an absolutely staggering amount of money pumped into the city since the turn of the century, and still it continues to pour in despite the recession and world financial situation.
Cabot's(not on list), and the deep water container port alone are £1 billion...
Would love to see how this compares to other major uk cities (maybe not cardiff!).
Perhaps that list should be forwarded to a mod regarding sub forums?
The problem is, although we have greater activity at present, we very rarely get photo updates of anything. Many years ago (before I had a family)I took on that role myself(with the help of a few others-whatever happened to the photo mad 'bristolmike'?), going around the city documenting progress. Sadly I can't do that regularly anymore, but we'd need constant input from the likes of Arhho to really justify a sub forum.

BoyamIjealous

March 4th, 2012, 10:33 PM

Shame the weathers naff today was hoping to take some new photos of Bristol. I will get round to it at some point any requests of things you want to see?

The new tramway system; the Arena; Bristol City's new home; Filton airfield's new museum and GA facility; a unicorn; the hovercraft/hydrofoil terminal for services to...., well, you decide;three flying pigs; and the refurb of Stokes Croft.

geoffbradford

March 5th, 2012, 02:25 PM

Many years ago (before I had a family)I took on that role myself(with the help of a few others-whatever happened to the photo mad 'bristolmike'?), going around the city documenting progress. Sadly I can't do that regularly anymore, but we'd need constant input from the likes of Arhho to really justify a sub forum.

Unfortunately (not for him obviously) bristolmike has gone to university so only manages occasional updates to his fascinating thread.

Cuebix

March 5th, 2012, 02:48 PM

The BCC planning team jumping off Cabot Tower?

Na, Castlemead just to make sure... :)

Cuebix

March 5th, 2012, 02:52 PM

Junction 3 on St Paul's Roundabout (m32 J3, Surprisingly, LOL) seems to be a decent sized project and is really looking imposing now.

I don't know though if there's a website etc for the project, though it is a council project in conjunction with private partners I think.

Erebus555

March 6th, 2012, 08:58 AM

^^I've noticed that as well - looks like it's timber-framed as well.

Egerton Court Phase 2 on Gloucester Road is coming along nicely. Looks like foundations are being poured.

Also, from my bedroom window in Bishopston, looking directly east there's a white tower crane with a luffing jib - anyone know what that is for?

Cuebix

March 6th, 2012, 01:28 PM

Is the Ashton Vale Review thing going ahead now? Has it been decided on?

geoffbradford

March 6th, 2012, 01:32 PM

Is the Ashton Vale Review thing going ahead now? Has it been decided on?

Judge has delayed his decision on whether the judicial review can go ahead having received more evidence. So we're none the wiser.

Cuebix

March 6th, 2012, 07:19 PM

Cuebix

March 6th, 2012, 07:48 PM

Also Bank Place is going to get going in the summer so I have been told. The Carlyle Group are apparently in talks for a prelet. A computer or technology firm of some sort I understand but all not clear.

Would be nice if these two (Glassfields and Bank Place) would get off the ground.

Cuebix

March 6th, 2012, 08:30 PM

Cabot Gate:

http://aww-uk.com/case-study/cabot-gate/

Would finish that area off brilliantly.

Schmeek

March 6th, 2012, 10:54 PM

How do we get a sub forum? I'll send an email and see what they say.

Theres a thread entitled ' bristol and west request' in the uk & ireland forum issues section. It's been going on near 5 years now! Maybe if we all add our weight to it we might get some attention.

geoffbradford

March 7th, 2012, 12:25 AM

Having checked, the Finzels Reach development isn't scheduled to be completed until spring 2017, according to the schedule they agreed with the council. The Mobius bridge will start in winter 2015 and finish in spring 2016 despite the fact that the building it connects to should be finished next year.

On a positive note Alec Fench architects have been appointed to design Wapping Wharf behind M shed. Their recent buildings have included the Quakers Friars development, Aardman's new HQ and the new offices behind the council house. I am quite hopeful that they will produce something at least half decent.

Cuebix

March 7th, 2012, 11:34 AM

On a positive note Alec Fench architects have been appointed to design Wapping Wharf behind M shed.

Hasn't Wapping Wharf already had a masterplan drawn up? On their website you can see artist impressions on what it will look like. I think they are just playing the waiting game for the residential market to pick up.

http://www.wappingwharf.co.uk/artist-impressions.html

tpm

March 7th, 2012, 12:22 PM

Hasn't Wapping Wharf already had a masterplan drawn up? On their website you can see artist impressions on what it will look like. I think they are just playing the waiting game for the residential market to pick up.

http://www.wappingwharf.co.uk/artist-impressions.html

I believe that's just an outline planning application, which defines overall arrangement and massing of buildings (i.e. the more controversial aspects of new developments), but doesn't go into design details yet. And the artist impression is likely just "what it could look like".

As I understand it, the developer got a substantial grant/subsidy from a pot designed to get mothballed developments going. Given the purpose of those grants, one would think that they would require building activity to begin soonish, and that is also what the developer has signalled in the press, if I remember correctly (ground preparation works in summer, construction to start towards the end of the year then - assuming the planning application goes through). I'm sure the council are also quite keen for this to get going, not least because of the BRT stop and adjacent square planned at the edge of the site (and didn't they make provisions for taking out a £2m loan so they could build the stops and square etc. even if the development wasn't going ahead?).

Cuebix

March 7th, 2012, 12:54 PM

bertyboy

March 7th, 2012, 02:14 PM

GCCC are going to give their planning app another shot with BCC. Hopefully they will approve it this time.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/New-vision-Gloucestershire-Cricket-ground/story-15419671-detail/story.html

What a surprise.
Of course, they've not got their bargaining chip from Cllr Allinson, who's offered them a place at Filton Airfield (even though it's still not got planning or even been sold yet!).

RupertSB

March 7th, 2012, 03:26 PM

RupertSB

March 7th, 2012, 03:28 PM

BoyamIjealous

March 7th, 2012, 06:58 PM

I signed the petition for a greater Bristol metro, I’m genuinely excited by the prospect of an integrated train system. The initial investment will be repaid in ten years in economic growth for the region. I also feel that the city has changed since I moved here in 2001 and I agree with others who have commented on a tangible difference from Bristolians who view their city in a better light since many regeneration projects completed during the last 4 years.

And I have also signed. It's up to 436 now, it would be nice to see it in the thousands soon. I think it's a great idea, and hopefully the start of a new look at integrated transport. At the moment, the best we have by way of tickets covering bus and train is Plusbus, which at £3.50 is poor.

tpm

March 7th, 2012, 07:32 PM

And I have also signed. It's up to 436 now

Surely that's still less than there are people working at Council House? Someone send a few students armed with touchpads/ipads to Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway ;)

BoyamIjealous

March 7th, 2012, 08:04 PM

Surely that's still less than there are people working at Council House? Someone send a few students armed with touchpads/ipads to Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway ;)

Agreed! Are posters on display anywhere at local stations, or leaflets being handed out on trains?

geoffbradford

March 7th, 2012, 09:28 PM

What a surprise.
Of course, they've not got their bargaining chip from Cllr Allinson, who's offered them a place at Filton Airfield (even though it's still not got planning or even been sold yet!).

Can't say I'm feeling overly sympathetic towards GCCC. It's not that I don't hope they get approval because I do. It's just that they already had approval for a six storey scheme and the planning dept. will have told them they were pushing their luck with seven stories. So why they didn't rearrange the flats so they didn't exceed six stories as they have done now and probably get through the first time? I find it mystifying.

geoffbradford

March 7th, 2012, 09:31 PM

Agreed! Are posters on display anywhere at local stations, or leaflets being handed out on trains?

A good suggestion, no idea! There have been several articles in the Evening Post and a cut out form you could fill out and post in support of the scheme.

Futureshapeof

March 8th, 2012, 04:01 PM

Apologies if this has already been mentioned (couldn't see it), but the Bristol Post was banging on about a plan to make Bristol "one of the most beautiful cities in the world" some weeks ago. The council has now drawn up some consultation docs to develop the city towards 2026. You can download them here (might need a few spare hours!): http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/bristol-central-area-action-plan. It's not very specific really, just general guidelines and certainly nothing groundbreaking. "Exciting new architecture" does get a mention as does respecting the historic urban context, but that still leaves a lot to chance and the possibility of more boring fill. I'd like to see a firmer commitment to design, like ensuring all new developments will be open to international design competitions or perhaps getting an advisor on board such as the role Farrell and Rogers have played in London - personally I'd love to see someone like Heatherwick fill this role as I think he could really capture what makes Bristol so special and help it move towards a new vernacular. Be great to see each of the key 9 areas defined by differences in street furniture, lighting and kiosks for example.

Pompey77

March 9th, 2012, 11:32 AM

New pics of the UWE stadium; http://www.bristol247.com/2012/03/09/bristol-rovers-unveil-plans-for-new-stadium-at-uwe-45034/

BoyamIjealous

March 9th, 2012, 06:39 PM

Can't say I'm feeling overly sympathetic towards GCCC. It's not that I don't hope they get approval because I do. It's just that they already had approval for a six storey scheme and the planning dept. will have told them they were pushing their luck with seven stories. So why they didn't rearrange the flats so they didn't exceed six stories as they have done now and probably get through the first time? I find it mystifying.

You never know, seven storeys may have got through. That would have given more flats on the same footprint, ergo a bigger profit margin, so definitely worth a punt. Had they started with plans for 6 storeys then asked to increase to seven, they would have stood no chance, as has now been shown.

But that's another storey.

geoffbradford

March 9th, 2012, 09:04 PM

Very droll!

Cuebix

March 10th, 2012, 12:39 AM

A scheme for 78 new home plus some retail gets approval.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/New-homes-old-garage-site/story-15455234-detail/story.html

Some good pics etc for this scheme are available from the architects website:

http://www.olearygoss.co.uk/projects/residential/coronation_road.php

I think its a nice project. Again making Bristol more dense, though there were quite a few objections for this BCC still passed it. I think the shops that will go in to the Retail/Commercial units they are construction will do pretty well and be thriving businesses for the future. I just hope they are independent and not Tesco etc

May the residents the objected should look into a Town Green app? :lol:

Cuebix

March 10th, 2012, 09:09 AM

Just saw some plans for Trinity in Leeds and thought I was looking at Cabot Circus! Amazing how similar it looks, I know it's the same construction firm (Land Securities etc) but I hope they don't go around putting a Cabot Circus everywhere as the Original (Bristol) will become less special.

Here's the link if anyone wants to see:

http://www.landsecuritiesretail.com/portfolio/Trinity-Leeds

Schmeek

March 10th, 2012, 11:47 AM

Yes you are right. Horribly similar. I think there was another shopping development which was also very similar to CC, only smaller - was it shrewsbury or somewhere?

EDIT: just seen this a well:
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Splash-colour-unforgiving-BRI/story-15480570-detail/story.html

Any improvement to the drab facade is extremely welcome, but is this really the best they could come up with? They mention the grey concrete 'fins' in the article as part of the problem, but it seems these are being left alone, unless I am mis reading the render. Surely it would be fairly easy (and relatively inexpensive) to use multi-coloured cladding to cover the black??

bertyboy

March 10th, 2012, 12:05 PM

bertyboy

March 10th, 2012, 12:08 PM

Pompey77

March 10th, 2012, 12:57 PM

Estimates for Bristol Metro phase 1 (Portishead and Bath services) coming in at £40m:

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Greater-Bristol-Metro-report-phase-cost-40m/story-15455256-detail/story.html

Another £21m to add new stations on the Hallen loop, but with no improvements to Filton Bank (meaning no metro rail services for Stapleton Rd and Lawrence Hill).
I think they'll need a much bigger pot of cash to do this properly!

This really does expose the poor value for money that the £50million Ashton Vale to Temple Meads bus route represents. The money would be far better targeted on these rail improvements.

geoffbradford

March 10th, 2012, 04:15 PM

BoyamIjealous

March 10th, 2012, 05:23 PM

Has work already started on Four Track at Lawrence Hill?

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/IMG_1066.jpg

Note the temporary stairway. A train headed for Westbury stands ready to go at the platform.

RupertSB

March 10th, 2012, 08:38 PM

You're not misreading it, the application only covers the formation of a new reception with improved circulation, new retail units etc. The hospital trust intend to improve the frontage (probably as you suggest by recladding) but this is being left for a future application.

I think you're right, no mention of re-cladding or a longing paint job.
Amen to any improvements to this overbearing brut of a building. I only wish they could extent the frontage across the whole façade disguising this hideous monolithic grey nightmare perching behind.

Have members noticed cranes have returned to the Bristol skyline? A barometer of economic development and growth. At my last count I see 8?

• Two have popped up near Glass Wharf? Anyone have details?
• One at the M32 development
• Three at the Super hospital
• One at Finzel’s Reach
• One at the top of St Michael’s hill at the new university of Bristol
science building?

Any more chaps?

BoyamIjealous

March 10th, 2012, 09:41 PM

This really does expose the poor value for money that the £50million Ashton Vale to Temple Meads bus route represents. The money would be far better targeted on these rail improvements.

Seconded! Ripping up rail track to run buses is counter-intuitive. This is a short-term "cheapo" fix that will end up being more expensive, although £50 million is hardly bargain basement. I agree that spending the money on reopening the Portishead line would solve more problems.

Cuebix

March 10th, 2012, 10:03 PM

geoffbradford

March 11th, 2012, 12:36 AM

Seconded! Ripping up rail track to run buses is counter-intuitive. This is a short-term "cheapo" fix that will end up being more expensive, although £50 million is hardly bargain basement. I agree that spending the money on reopening the Portishead line would solve more problems.

I don't think much rail track is being taken up. The harbour railway from M shed to the Create centre will remain. The disused track behind M shed is being removed and the unused single track on the old Ashton bridge.

I share your sentiments but the local authorities seem to have decided to concentrate on buses this time round. When the next lot of money becomes available in 2015 for local transport bids, perhaps we'll be focussed more on rail and be equally successful.

Let's hope that the local councils' enthusiastic promotion of the Greater Bristol Metro is a sign of future harmony and progress on the transport front.

BoyamIjealous

March 11th, 2012, 03:25 PM

Geoff,

It's good to see us and the neighbours singing from the same hymn sheet, with none of the normal internecine bitching. That cost us the Avon Metro all those years ago, a mistake we have all paid for since.

The BRT remains, imho, an expensive short-sighted fix for the wrong problem.The rail route alongside Cumberland Road was preserved as the route for a light railway. That, extended to Portishead, would have been a big achievement at relatively low cost, especially with tram-train trials starting soon. It would have been supported much more than BRT - rail gets people out of cars in a way that buses simply do not. The vehicles last longer and are cheaper to run, too. There is no point in banging on about it though, even though I will. They know best. £50 million for a bus lane is a bit steep, mind, and will look less of a bargain when Portishead has a rail service again, so people can get the train to Temple Meads in 17 minutes and leave the car at home, rather than driving to Ashton Vale and getting the BRT to nearby.

I'm all for this Metro idea, though, and really hope it happens.

geoffbradford

March 12th, 2012, 12:22 AM

geoffbradford

March 12th, 2012, 12:35 AM

Some pictures from Hengrove Park;

The Skills Academy
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1050.jpg

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1037.jpg

The new 50m pool (the golden egg is the kitchen!)

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1039.jpg

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1040.jpg

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1042.jpg

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1035.jpg

South Bristol Hospital
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1048.jpg

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1049.jpg

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1041.jpg

geoffbradford

March 12th, 2012, 12:54 AM

No. 2 College Square which does an excellent job of hiding the back of the Ibis hotel. The water feature is called the "Shy Fountain" and a movement sensor switches it off if you get too close.

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1022a.jpg

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1026.jpg

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1030.jpg

Connoisseur1

March 12th, 2012, 03:33 PM

They're going to add more to that fountain I hope, as it looks pretty stupid right now

BoyamIjealous

March 12th, 2012, 07:20 PM

They're going to add more to that fountain I hope, as it looks pretty stupid right now

I bet I'm not the first one to think of a nickname for the "Shy Fountain"! I love the golden egg kitchen at Hengrove.

streetlegal

March 13th, 2012, 12:09 AM

At one point wasn't there going to be a river of running water towards the harbour?

bertyboy

March 13th, 2012, 01:06 AM

At one point wasn't there going to be a river of running water towards the harbour?

It's called the Frome.

BoyamIjealous

March 13th, 2012, 07:19 PM

South Bristol Hospital

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_1049.jpg

Now that is majorly impressive. What I love with new hospital buildings, though, is the way that a week or so later, whilst it still smells of new wood, a new sign goes up on reception. It is printed on the receptionist's computer, says something like "Please queue this way" or "Urine samples to be put in the yellow box", and is held on by sticking plaster. A prize for the first picture, maybe?

bertyboy

March 13th, 2012, 11:45 PM

Now that is majorly impressive. What I love with new hospital buildings, though, is the way that a week or so later, whilst it still smells of new wood, a new sign goes up on reception. It is printed on the receptionist's computer, says something like "Please queue this way" or "Urine samples to be put in the yellow box", and is held on by sticking plaster. A prize for the first picture, maybe?

'Tis true. Problem is, hospital buildings are inevitably designed by architects who don't account for the minutiae of the actual day-to-day running of departments and the things that nurses and receptionists and porters have had to improvise to make things run that bit better. Architects don't think about urine samples.

BoyamIjealous

March 14th, 2012, 01:54 PM

'Tis true. Problem is, hospital buildings are inevitably designed by architects who don't account for the minutiae of the actual day-to-day running of departments and the things that nurses and receptionists and porters have had to improvise to make things run that bit better. Architects don't think about urine samples.

Now that's just taking the p*ss. Sadly for me, I have experience of hospitals, and I agree. There is always a lot of staff input, but that never overcomes the picture in the designer's eye. I first noticed the sticking plaster / homemade sign effect at Avon Orthopaedic Centre, then at the revamped Southmead Hospital outpatients department. No doubt it will be replicated in the new Southmead hospital, once the cranes go away.

bertyboy

March 16th, 2012, 12:58 AM

GCCC put in new application for County Ground:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17382502

Pompey77

March 16th, 2012, 01:36 AM

There's a mobile crane tonight taking down the temporary bridge over Broad Weir, does this mean that Eclipse is complete and ready for occupation?

Cuebix

March 16th, 2012, 09:46 AM

GCCC put in new application for County Ground:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17382502

Lets hope that BCC can see sense this time and approve the plans! :nuts:

RupertSB

March 16th, 2012, 10:30 AM

Lets hope that BCC can see sense this time and approve the plans! :nuts:

http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/south-west/67685-bristol-city-council-pitches-cricketers

Incredible - BCC loans GCC 400k, that is a bold move to keep cricket in Bristol.!!

BoyamIjealous

March 16th, 2012, 08:05 PM

Cause for cautious optimism on the Bristol Metro front, according to the BEP.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Transport-Minister-good-news-local-rail/story-15531396-detail/story.html

streetlegal

March 17th, 2012, 02:23 AM

It's called the Frome.

In the original plans for Crest houses there existed a stream of water flowing down the passageway that ran from the Cathedral view toward the floating harbour.

No need to be sarky.

tpm

March 17th, 2012, 03:10 AM

In the original plans for Crest houses there existed a stream of water flowing down the passageway that ran from the Cathedral view toward the floating harbour.

I've seen that too in some drawings, but I don't know if that's going to happen like that now. I think it might just going to be planks + greenery ("wetlands") now. The planning application for that last bit (building 4 etc.) went through not too long ago after having been rejected by councillors, possibly even multiple times.

Cause for cautious optimism on the Bristol Metro front, according to the BEP.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Transport-Minister-good-news-local-rail/story-15531396-detail/story.html

As far as I can tell there's absolutely nothing in that story that gives reason for anything. Assuming he was quoted correctly, he said (my emphasis) "funding could be available" (well, of course it could...) and "if rail improvements were what local people wanted it would be looked at" (looked at - feeling optimistic already!). Meh.

Schmeek

March 17th, 2012, 10:14 AM

In the original plans for Crest houses there existed a stream of water flowing down the passageway that ran from the Cathedral view toward the floating harbour.

No need to be sarky.

I think Bb misunderstood your post, as I did. There will be flowing water to a degree, but it'll mainly consist of a landscaped walkway lined with shops/units.
http://www.bedminsterpeople.co.uk/property/Innovative-watering-scheme-Millennium-Promenade/story-10517211-detail/story.html

bertyboy

March 17th, 2012, 12:36 PM

I think Bb misunderstood your post, as I did. There will be flowing water to a degree, but it'll mainly consist of a landscaped walkway lined with shops/units.
http://www.bedminsterpeople.co.uk/property/Innovative-watering-scheme-Millennium-Promenade/story-10517211-detail/story.html

Nah, I was being sarky! :lol:

Schmeek

March 17th, 2012, 01:11 PM

Fair enoughB-)

BoyamIjealous

March 17th, 2012, 01:26 PM

As far as I can tell there's absolutely nothing in that story that gives reason for anything. Assuming he was quoted correctly, he said (my emphasis) "funding could be available" (well, of course it could...) and "if rail improvements were what local people wanted it would be looked at" (looked at - feeling optimistic already!). Meh.

In former times, we would have read the word "No" writ large by this stage. That said, the minister has also made soothing noises to Plymouth about their service to London. Devon county council are also keen to set up a Metro service for all their local stations. There won't be cash for everything.

Cuebix

March 21st, 2012, 07:24 PM

The Mall @ Cribbs extension has been approved. New "Mini Anchor" coming in apparently, wonder who is might be?

pathfinderBS1

March 22nd, 2012, 08:10 PM

Hello all..

I’m new to this so bare with me but hello my names Leighton. I am a big fan of both Bristol and construction and have been wanting to get registered on here for a while.

Anyone know what’s happening with the glass Fields site? It has been empty for a while and I was hoping it would start when they erected the new perimeter fencing.

Cheers

geoffbradford

March 23rd, 2012, 01:01 AM

Welcome, Pathfinder.

Can't help you with the Glassfields site, but I see you're a fan of Tote End Boys!

Cuebix

March 23rd, 2012, 09:47 AM

Welcome PathFinder, Nice to see yet another member.

The Glassfields site should have started but these things take time i.e funds etc. I am pretty sure that construction will be starting soon on that site though as well as the Bank Place development over the duel carriage way by pass.

tpm

March 23rd, 2012, 12:13 PM

Bristol Harbourside regeneration deal sealed

http://bristol247.wpcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Purifier-Building-Bristol.jpg

Bristol Business News

The regeneration of one of the last parts of Bristol’s Harbourside looks to have been finally settled, after it was announced Grade II-listed East Purifier House in Gas Ferry Road is to be converted into apartments.

...

Full story on bristol24.com (http://www.bristol247.com/2012/03/23/bristol-harbourside-regeneration-deal-sealed-13581/).

bertyboy

March 23rd, 2012, 02:23 PM

I thought the Soil Association had bought it?

edit: Oh that was the *West* Purifier House.

Pompey77

March 23rd, 2012, 02:41 PM

Read the article, they're moving into West Purifier House. East PH will be converted into apartments by Linden. Looks really decent IMO.

pathfinderBS1

March 23rd, 2012, 02:46 PM

Afternoon all,

Yes Geoff Bradford i am a fan of both the song and the past time.. I only went to one game at Eastville though because of my age which is a shame. Do you share the name with the Rovers great or is your name in honour of him?

Thanks for the welcome Cuebix, I am excited about this development as i live near Gardiner Haskins so its literally on my door step.

Anyone hear that Bristol was voted best small City in Europe and for the Future by the influential business publication FDI Magazine?

Here is the link..

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bristol-spot-8216-small-city-future-8217/story-15598511-detail/story.html

regards

geoffbradford

March 23rd, 2012, 08:57 PM

pathfinderBS1

March 24th, 2012, 12:00 AM

Pickle33

March 24th, 2012, 01:11 AM

geoffbradford

March 24th, 2012, 10:54 AM

Evening all..

Well i am excited about the Finzels reach development. Cant wait for them to erect the bridge.. Stone masons have built a wall to make the square shape for the bridge to emerge from.. Exciting times. Some people have said the bridge will not be erected until the end of the project but it seems strange to have the crane and prepare for the bridge but not actually erect it...

Anyone know ??

Regards

The agreement reached with the city council (in order for them to waive some S106 payments) allows for a phased development. The present phase includes the building you describe, but the bridge is later. There is nothing that would stop them bringing it forwards, but I imagine the developers would rather not have the bridge discharging people into what will still partly be a building site.

lezgotolondon

March 25th, 2012, 09:52 PM

best "small" city?
it's not small WTF

good for the award btw

tpm

March 25th, 2012, 10:26 PM

best "small" city?
it's not small WTF

Well, it really is, in a European context. Categories are:

Major cities have a population of more than 1 million, e.g. Berlin, London, Paris, Moscow, Barcelona, Stockholm, Dublin, Vienna, Brussels, Madrid, Hamburg, Munich, Warsaw, Budapest..
Large cities have a population of between 500,000 and 1 million, e.g. Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Oslo, Helsinki, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Glasgow, Rotterdam...
Small cities have a population of between 250,000 and 500,000, e.g. Edinburgh, Zurich, Manchester, The Hague, Utrecht, Lyon, Antwerp, Leeds, Malmö
Micro cities have a population of less than 250,000, e.g. Cambridge, Oxford, Eindhoven, Grenoble, Bordeaux, Basel, Reading, Gent, Galway..

Now we can do the whole spiel about metro areas and "if you add Filton etc. it's much much bigger" etc., but overall I think it's a fair categorisation, esp. if you look at the other cities in the same category. Chances are Bristol wouldn't even have gotten a mention if it was amongst the large cities ;-)

However, who knows where we'll be by the end of the decade if population growth continues like this, though most new housing seems to be built outside the city boundary these days.

lezgotolondon

March 26th, 2012, 12:23 AM

Well, it really is, in a European context. Categories are:

Now we can do the whole spiel about metro areas and "if you add Filton etc. it's much much bigger" etc., but overall I think it's a fair categorisation, esp. if you look at the other cities in the same category. Chances are Bristol wouldn't even have gotten a mention if it was amongst the large cities ;-)

However, who knows where we'll be by the end of the decade if population growth continues like this, though most new housing seems to be built outside the city boundary these days.

yeah ok, I hoped they pay attention to the metro area, Filton is parctically part of Bristol.

The weird thing it's that they have large cities and then small. Small should be medium. It's only a strange way to say it.

I'm ok with medium.

Cuebix

March 26th, 2012, 01:58 AM

yeah ok, I hoped they pay attention to the metro area, Filton is parctically part of Bristol.

The weird thing it's that they have large cities and then small. Small should be medium. It's only a strange way to say it.

I'm ok with medium.

It's silly categorization. If it's Factual and Literal sense then lets see how big out great City of London is without its "Greater Metro" area? :)

[/URL][URL]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_London (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/Benjamin%20Millepiedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_London)

I'm sure other Major city's around the world would be the same but I just don't know them well enough.

TBH this doesn't really annoy me as it's nice to know that Bristol is being looked at. We know what and how big Bristol is and yeah Filton, Emerson's Green etc etc are all part of the collective.

What does annoy me however is naming places that are not part of somewhere like "London Southend Airport" and "London Luton Airport" these places are NOT in London and its another way of making London seem bigger than it really is. London has 1 Airport "London City", that's it!

Bloody Twonks! :ohno:

bertyboy

March 26th, 2012, 10:17 AM

It's silly categorization. If it's Factual and Literal sense then lets see how big out great City of London is without its "Greater Metro" area? :)

[/URL][URL]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_London (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/Benjamin%20Millepiedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_London)

I'm sure other Major city's around the world would be the same but I just don't know them well enough.

TBH this doesn't really annoy me as it's nice to know that Bristol is being looked at. We know what and how big Bristol is and yeah Filton, Emerson's Green etc etc are all part of the collective.

What does annoy me however is naming places that are not part of somewhere like "London Southend Airport" and "London Luton Airport" these places are NOT in London and its another way of making London seem bigger than it really is. London has 1 Airport "London City", that's it!

Bloody Twonks! :ohno:

To be fair, Bristol doesn't even have an airport. Or Manchester for that matter.

Irish Blood English Heart

March 26th, 2012, 11:26 AM

Manchester Airport falls in the Manchester boundary as they annexed the land from Cheshire into their metropolitan area.

Cuebix

March 26th, 2012, 12:05 PM

To be fair, Bristol doesn't even have an airport. Or Manchester for that matter.

True that but at least its all within a Bristol Postcode. Heathrow (Londons closest large airport) has a "TW" postcode.

The main reason it annoys me is because when friends/family fly to London Luton/Gatwick etc etc to come and visit they think they are in London and I have to explain the whole thing! Just Silly!

Cuebix

March 26th, 2012, 12:06 PM

Cuebix

March 26th, 2012, 01:59 PM

Drove past the "Saints Court" development at Lawfords Gate and was quite impressed.

http://www.saintscourt.co.uk/

pathfinderBS1

March 26th, 2012, 04:36 PM

Anyway more importantly!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17492689

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

Sounds good Cuebix but i will believe it when i see it.. Just like the Rovers stadium plans i have been waiting for a stadium for years.. :(

BoyamIjealous

March 26th, 2012, 05:04 PM

Here's hoping for the Arena! On the transport front, no, it isn't preliminary Four Track work at Lawrence Hill:

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/IMG_1102.jpg

Seems the steep stone steps down to the Bristol-bound platform are a bit tricky to use in a wheelchair, and a new access is being constructed. The work shown here forms a temporary way to get to the train. Further work will include resurfacing the platforms - not sure why, but no money would be spent if it wasn't needed - and new fencing. All likely to take 3 months.

Mr Bricks

March 26th, 2012, 08:52 PM

Well, it really is, in a European context. Categories are:

What? Stockholm has a population of 850 000 people, and Dublin only 525 000 which makes it smaller than both Helsinki and Oslo.

RupertSB

March 28th, 2012, 09:54 AM

Cuebix

March 28th, 2012, 10:39 AM

http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/south-west/68297-20m-hospital-redevelopment-starts

I can't get that excited about hospital developments after the super hospital just crushes any competition but still I thought it might be worth a mention.

Hospital Development will be a good one. They will be a state of the art facility and yes Southmead Super will be a amazing all rounder but all these private hospitals (which Bristol has a fair share of) will still hold some clout.

I was walking around the harbourside passed the Lloyds building and in my opinion the whapping wharf development could take taller buildings than currently planned. Does anyone else agree or have any thoughts?

Wapping Wharf I think could take some talls but it's all been passed now and I think the tallest is around 6/8 stories. They won't be going back to the drawing board unless the project becomes financially not viable and they need more floor space in which case they will go up higher. Don't hold your breath though!

tpm

March 28th, 2012, 01:42 PM

6-8 stories for Wapping Wharf seems quite okay to me (more than I remembered actually), it will be quite dominant. Not that I'd mind some taller bits sticking out here and there just to make it a bit more interesting, but I believe the entire area is a conservation area, so talls are a strict no-no.

Pompey77

March 29th, 2012, 10:23 AM

Brunel's Passenger Shed to be used for Bristol to London electric line

BRUNEL’s original Temple Meads station is to be reborn as the new home for the high-speed electric train service to and from London.

Currently used as a car park and exhibition hall, the Passenger Shed is to be restored to its former glory as part of a multi-million pound scheme.

The plan will see part of Bristol’s main rail station put back to the use it was first designed for by the great Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

A £5 million deal has been struck which will see the building pass into the ownership of the City Council and talks are under way with Network Rail on the future of the station.

The plan is to create a purpose-built terminal servicing the train connection to London which is to be electrified by 2016.

Once the electrification of the line is completed trains will arrive in Bristol every 15 minutes and the journey from London is expected to take around one hour and 15 minutes.

The high-speed trains will come to a halt at Brunel’s Old Station, which was originally designed to take Brunel’s 7ft-wide broad gauge line.....

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Brunel-s-Passenger-Shed-used-Bristol-London/story-15655545-detail/story.html

Wonder what this will mean for the side entrance to the station? Will be a pain in the proverbial to have to walk all the way around to the front. Interesting news anyway. :)

bertyboy

March 29th, 2012, 01:03 PM

Wonder what this will mean for the side entrance to the station? Will be a pain in the proverbial to have to walk all the way around to the front. Interesting news anyway. :)

I would think a bridge or tunnel would be created.

My biggest worry is where the Bristol Beer Festival wil go!! :(

Schmeek

March 29th, 2012, 02:38 PM

I think the piece of land the other side of the old terminal shed (currently a car park) is intended to be used as the new transport 'hub', connecting buses, brt, ferry and rail, so I'd imagine there'd be a new and substantial entrance on that side anyway.

Cuebix

March 29th, 2012, 04:00 PM

My biggest worry is where the Bristol Beer Festival wil go!! :(

Being such a popular festival I am sure it will find a new home!!! :)

The plan to bring the old buildings back to their intended use is fantastic idea IMO!

BoyamIjealous

March 29th, 2012, 05:16 PM

I would think a bridge or tunnel would be created.

My biggest worry is where the Bristol Beer Festival will go!! :(

Me too, on both counts.

Being such a popular festival I am sure it will find a new home!!! :)

The plan to bring the old buildings back to their intended use is fantastic idea IMO!

I think it is a masterstroke! Apart from anything else, it will mean less of a trek to the London trains, currently as far from the entrance to the station as is possible to get. There'll be room for more other trains, too. It's a lovely building, much too good for a car park. It won't be a massive engineering job, especially if the platforms are already at the right height. A Bridge or tunnel from the ferry stage end is a must, especially if the land next door gets used as a transport hub.

Does this mean, though, no cables on the other platforms?

Sesquip

March 29th, 2012, 05:56 PM

I wonder what they'll do with the roof. The existing one is rather shoddy, and doesn't match the original hammerbeam roof: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01451/temple-meads_1451823i.jpg

Delirium

March 29th, 2012, 07:43 PM

Brunel's Passenger Shed to be used for Bristol to London electric line

oh wow :uh: I'm assuming that this is pretty much a done deal?

If it is, that would make it the oldest functioning railway station in the world; ignoring the long period of inactivity of course, but y'know, let's milk it for all it's worth.

Pompey77

March 29th, 2012, 07:49 PM

Reading that again its slightly misleading. It says the part currently used as a conference/exhibition venue (which is the original Brunel shed) will continue as such and the part currently used as a car park (a later, i think Victorian, addition) will return to rail use.

I wonder if it would be possible to extend the existing subway under the station forecourt and the new platforms without knocking down various parts of this, and the main, train shed?

If that was possible, an entrance could be created directly into the subway from the station forecourt allowing passengers already with tickets to go to the platforms without having to pass through the often crowded ticket hall and along platform 3.

Delirium

March 29th, 2012, 07:58 PM

Well, that's way less impressive.

I'm assuming it's this section?
http://maps.google.com/?ll=51.449942,-2.582731&spn=0.016421,0.045447&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=51.449955,-2.582724&panoid=qdKGzC5eVuGIh1kjXbStkQ&cbp=12,122.8,,0,0.08

Pompey77

March 29th, 2012, 08:25 PM

The brick arch bit, yeah. Not sure how long the new train sets are likely to be, but judging by the trend in recent years shorter than whats needed. A typical 4/5 car voyager would easily fit in just that part. much more that 8-10 cars and they might just have to use the original Brunel station to make it work.

EDIT: Just checked and Wikipedia says IEP will operate a mix of 5 and 8 car sets on the GWML so there probably will be enough space in the Victorian shed.

bertyboy

March 30th, 2012, 12:31 AM

I wonder what they'll do with the roof. The existing one is rather shoddy, and doesn't match the original hammerbeam roof: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01451/temple-meads_1451823i.jpg

Surely that's pretty much what it looks like now? (without the trenches/open end!)

BoyamIjealous

March 31st, 2012, 01:56 PM

oh wow :uh: I'm assuming that this is pretty much a done deal?

If it is, that would make it the oldest functioning railway station in the world; ignoring the long period of inactivity of course, but y'know, let's milk it for all it's worth.

Liverpool Lime Street opened in 1836, 4 years before Temple Meads. Bolton station, as Bertyboy will know, opened 1838. Possibly the oldest are Patricroft and Eccles, both built to serve the Manchester - Liverpool line in 1830. BTM is, however, the oldest with offices and the rest, as well as a passenger terminal, or so the Evening Post claims. So it must be true.

bertyboy

March 31st, 2012, 02:31 PM

Liverpool Lime Street opened in 1836, 4 years before Temple Meads. Bolton station, as Bertyboy will know, opened 1838. Possibly the oldest are Patricroft and Eccles, both built to serve the Manchester - Liverpool line in 1830. BTM is, however, the oldest with offices and the rest, as well as a passenger terminal, or so the Evening Post claims. So it must be true.

I don't think any of those stations (certainly not Bolton!) are the original station buildings though. The earliest station station still in use is Earlestown (in Newton-le-Willows) which opened in 1830, though the station building there now is actually from a little later at 1835.

Delirium

March 31st, 2012, 07:53 PM

BoyamIjealous

March 31st, 2012, 08:38 PM

Yeah, if they re-opened the old shed, it would be the world's oldest surviving/ 'longest' running passenger terminus as opposed to station...technically (got to love the technicalities.)

In terms of surviving structures I think Edge Hill is the oldest, not much if anything remains of the original Lime street from what i've heard.

Au contraire, my dear Delerium. The Edge Hill station now standing is not the original building, and not on the original site. It is, I will admit, very close, and bits of the original are still visible, as are bits of St Phillips in Bristol. The Liverpool and Manchester Railway was the first intercity line, so it stands to reason that it would have some of the earliest stations. The excitement at the time must have been amazing, probably up there with the first moon landing.

This is really just a game of semantics, akin to why St Johns Wood is unique amongst London Underground stations. Some of my best friends are Jewish.

Bristol Mike

April 1st, 2012, 08:28 PM

Sorry just to change the subject.

Does anyone know the site opposite the new Colston Hall on Pipe Lane?

Guess what is to be built there?? Yep you guessed it more student apartments. But on the plus side they look good and are in keeping with the historic nature of some of the buildings in that area. Does anyone have any images. I have one...

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/3130/pipelanetopleft.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/267/pipelanetopleft.gif/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Anyone know who the architect for this one is? It's miles better than most of what else is going up around Bristol. Thanks.

geoffbradford

April 1st, 2012, 10:29 PM

Michael Lavender was the architect for the Pipe Lane apartments, although it is basically much the same as an earlier approved scheme, but altered internally for student accomodation.

geoffbradford

April 2nd, 2012, 03:58 AM

bertyboy

April 2nd, 2012, 02:12 PM

Schmeek

April 2nd, 2012, 02:58 PM

Nah they'll def fight it. spending x amount of money will pale in comparison to the embarassment should they be beaten in this.

Connoisseur1

April 2nd, 2012, 03:21 PM

If a train journey to London is cut to just over an hour this will significantly help businesses in Bristol (I'm thinking of mainly PSF firms) with clients in London. However, might it harm clothes retailers in the city?

RupertSB

April 2nd, 2012, 06:10 PM

A fresh judicial review on the Ashton Vale Town Green application has been given the go-ahead, meaning lawyers and judges can let out a cry of "KER-CHING!"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17582992

I wouldn't be surprised if BCC don't fight the application for full TG status at this juncture. Their coffers must be running very low.

"We will be even richer in the morning, do da do da da day!" they must be singing.

What a waste of time and money. Some welcome relief from this....check out these bad boys...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertypicturegalleries/9180729/The-worlds-tallest-building-and-Dubais-skyscrapers-poke-through-thick-fog.html?frame=2183482

Cuebix

April 2nd, 2012, 11:08 PM

Some welcome relief from this....check out these bad boys...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertypicturegalleries/9180729/The-worlds-tallest-building-and-Dubais-skyscrapers-poke-through-thick-fog.html?frame=2183482

That's awesome!!!

BoyamIjealous

April 3rd, 2012, 05:40 PM

A fresh judicial review on the Ashton Vale Town Green application has been given the go-ahead, meaning lawyers and judges can let out a cry of "KER-CHING!"

"Don't worry Madam, we'll fight these people for what's rightfully ours. I mean, yours"

Schmeek

April 4th, 2012, 04:44 PM

RupertSB

April 4th, 2012, 11:33 PM

Anyone know who the architect for this one is? It's miles better than most of what else is going up around Bristol. Thanks.

Leave it with me, I will find out and come back to you.

RupertSB

April 4th, 2012, 11:46 PM

Gutted my smartphone camera ran out of juice at the crucial moment yesterday - just as I had pulled over to take some snaps of finzels! Had anyone noticed that you can now walk through the completed portion of the development? It doesn't go anywhere yet(unless you live or work in there), but it's a nice little amble nonetheless and you can access a part of the harbour walkway opposite Castle park as well as watch the workers completing little bits including where the iconic bridge will be.
It had a really nice feel to it, with the old masonry attractively blended with the new and it really did feel like a new quarter of the city, as we'd been told it would.
The building on the bend of the river is superb IMO. Really sleek and stylish - even better than in the renders I would say.
They are yet to start to building next to it, which will effectively enclose the quarter from the river side. Now, looking at how it is now with the gap(from across the water), I'm not so sure they should've planned it like that. I like the fact that you can see right through to 1 Redcliffe st, and it feels more like a living breathing part of the city rather than an impenetrable castle/battlement. I suppose the bridge will help in that respect though.

Anyway, this post has turned out to be something of an incoherent ramble... pictures would've helped! Must try harder next time!

This is good to hear and positive Schmeek.

By the way I've heard Bridgewater House, the 100,000 sq ft, speculatively built office development within Finzels, has it's first tenant. A firm has taken two thirds of the very top floor which will relieve pressure coming from the banks on their investment.

There is talk too that speculative office development could start Q4 this year as stock is very low. The most favoured development to start this year is the site next to Burges Salmon because all the groundworks and underground car park is built and could fly up as soon as economic growth returns to stronger levels later this year we hope!! I would love to see Bank House and Glassfields built within the next 24 months but we will see.

geoffbradford

April 4th, 2012, 11:48 PM

Leave it with me, I will find out and come back to you.

I posted it under BristolMike's question Rupert - although that doesn't answer the question of who designed the original scheme before it was modified.

Good to hear from you that Bridgwater House has it's first tenants. Apart from the two builidings you mention, the one I'd really like to see built is where the old General Accident building is on Victoria St. The one where the new design is a little reminiscent in shape of the flat iron building in New York.

Cuebix

April 5th, 2012, 10:03 AM

Apart from the two builidings you mention, the one I'd really like to see built is where the old General Accident building is on Victoria St. The one where the new design is a little reminiscent in shape of the flat iron building in New York.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/33-49VictoriaStreet.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/33-49VictoriaStreet2.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/VicotriaSt.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/?action=view&current=33-49VictoriaStreet.jpg%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/33-49VictoriaStreet.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22Photobucket%22%3E%3C/a%3E

Cuebix

April 5th, 2012, 11:04 AM

Cuebix

April 5th, 2012, 11:07 AM

I didn't even realize that the new Imperial Tobacco HQ was being built let alone topping out!!!

http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/south-west/68750-construction-milestone-new-imperial-tobacco-hq/index.html

Has anyone seen the plans for the new Co-Op HQ in Manchester? Looks amazing!!! Defo one of my "Newly Constructed Fave Buildings".

dronkula

April 5th, 2012, 02:38 PM

Now the wave garden has opposition! Great! I dream of the day when someone can put plans together and nobody has a stupid objection!

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Friends-Avon-Gorge-clash-site-Bristol-s/story-15712234-detail/story.html

Hmm..

So basically the guy is objecting because he thinks this *environmental conservation* project (which is what it is) will ruin the environment?

And his comment about 'Stick it in Filton' is straight from the 'Not in my back yard!' manual.

Pompey77

April 5th, 2012, 08:10 PM

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/33-49VictoriaStreet2.jpg

Would be great to see this built, would be even better if it was 2-4x the height, this would be a great site for something tall and slender.

Not sure whether the reddy/brown colour palate on all the new buildings in this area will be a unifying feature or just make it feel bland and samey. I guess the main thing is that they are all really high quality.

Connoisseur1

April 5th, 2012, 10:21 PM

Noticed that Google Earth now has satellite pictures from 2010 up, I noticed for example, that the Burges Salmon offices are now viewable on it.

bertyboy

April 5th, 2012, 10:47 PM

Hmm..

So basically the guy is objecting because he thinks this *environmental conservation* project (which is what it is) will ruin the environment?

And his comment about 'Stick it in Filton' is straight from the 'Not in my back yard!' manual.

As Chairman of the Save Filton Airfield campaign, I'm starting to tire of the "dump this development on Filton Airfield" lines.... Filton Airfield is NOT yet closed and by no means has any planning permission for redevelopment! Even if they did, anything that the public might want is not on BAE's radar!

Bristol Mike

April 6th, 2012, 12:20 AM

It would be even better to see something a little more sensitive to the area's past built there with height, like the building that used to stand where 1 Redcliffe Street now stands.

That building looks a bit boring.

bristolboy

April 6th, 2012, 09:59 AM

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/33-49VictoriaStreet.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/33-49VictoriaStreet2.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/VicotriaSt.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/?action=view&current=33-49VictoriaStreet.jpg%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/33-49VictoriaStreet.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22Photobucket%22%3E%3C/a%3E

Guys this Development was refused planning permission years ago.
Which is a great shame as id have liked to have seen it built and it would have looked a hell of a lot better than the building it was going to replace.

geoffbradford

April 6th, 2012, 11:45 AM

It was refused by the planning commitee but allowed on appeal. The permission might have run out by now anyway.

BoyamIjealous

April 7th, 2012, 02:38 PM

We asked Transport Minister Norman Baker what he thought about Bristol's plans for the Bus Rabid Transit. Mr Baker said:

"Trams are good for passengers, good for the local economy and good for the local environment - and the travelling public enjoy using them."

Alright, that wasn't the question, but that's what he said in Blackpool on Tuesday, according to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-17594465

tpm

April 8th, 2012, 12:13 AM

geoffbradford

April 8th, 2012, 12:58 PM

Schmeek

April 9th, 2012, 11:21 AM

There are coloured sketches and elevations on there as well.

BoyamIjealous

April 9th, 2012, 12:00 PM

Don't know if anyone's mentioned it yet, but the exhibition boards for the first phase of Wapping Wharf (http://www.wappingwharf.co.uk/project-information.html) are online now and include some sketches. Bit underwhelming IMHO, but maybe that's just because of the black-and-white sketches.

Very interesting. I am glad to see the old gaol will be used as a cafe, although when stopping for coffee I may reflect on the macabre fact that I am sipping my latte on the site of the last public execution in Bristol. As well as making good use of an empty bit of harbourside land, this will give future developers experience of building around a BRT route, if it goes ahead. I can't see the route putting people off living there.

Brunel's Passenger Shed to be used for Bristol to London electric line

I went along to Temple Meads to get some pics for future reference, as the project gets under way. I chose a quiet day, when few cars were parked:

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/IMG_1120.jpg

Seems to me there will be plenty of room for two tracks, given the reference point of the old platform to the left. Length isn't a major problem - there's no law that says all the train has to be under all of the roof. There are obstructions to be moved from the entrance though:

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/IMG_1124.jpg

As we see from outside:

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/IMG_1127.jpg

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/IMG_1128.jpg

I believe the nearest building is the signal box. This is due to close in 2015, with the completion of the new signalling project, and these buildings are scheduled for instant demolition. The electrification is due in 2016, giving around a year to do all the necessary work. This is going to look superb!

What is happening on Plot 3?

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/IMG_1125.jpg

On the way home, I took a "ground zero" picture of the Glassfields site:

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/IMG_1118.jpg

Nothing urgent to be seen there.

geoffbradford

April 9th, 2012, 12:28 PM

bertyboy

April 9th, 2012, 04:20 PM

I went along to Temple Meads to get some pics for future reference, as the project gets under way. I chose a quiet day, when few cars were parked:

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/IMG_1120.jpg

Seems to me there will be plenty of room for two tracks, given the reference point of the old platform to the left. Length isn't a major problem - there's no law that says all the train has to be under all of the roof.

Bear in mind that's only a later extension to Brunel's original shed which is behind the far wall. When they are re-connected, there will be enough length for the IEP trains plus I suspect a small concourse and exits at the far end. What I long for in the long term is for the land next to the Brunel shed to be used for a tram service that will use the Redcliffe tunnel, connecting BTM with Ashton Gate, as part of Bristol's much needed tram-train rail network!

BoyamIjealous

April 9th, 2012, 04:21 PM

Love the pictures of the train shed. That grey builiding is indeed the signal box. My uncle used to work in it. When it was opened it was absolutely state of the art and half scared him to death. He was used to the really old fashioned set up where you pulled levers in those little wooden sheds.

Could look amazing after electrification. Will they revamp the rest of Temple Meads?

Geoff, it's now state of the Ark. The signalling will all be done somewhere else come 2015, so the signal box can just vanish. Sounds like completely new kit is on the way, with in-cab at the heart of it. I hope Temple Meads is given a complete makeover - seems pointless not to. The impression given is that all electric and only electric trains will use the Brunel shed, suggesting only that will be cabled. I hope that's not the case. Apart from the Bath / London line, the stretch to Parkway will have to be done, or the trains won't get to their depot. A true Bristol Metro will be easier to achive with all Temple Meads electrified.

Bear in mind that's only a later extension to Brunel's original shed which is behind the far wall. When they are re-connected, there will be enough length for the IEP trains plus I suspect a small concourse and exits at the far end. What I long for in the long term is for the land next to the Brunel shed to be used for a tram service that will use the Redcliffe tunnel, connecting BTM with Ashton Gate, as part of Bristol's much needed tram-train rail network!

Me too, Bertyboy! I had never noticed it before despite walking past many a time, but there is a right turn off the bridge over the floating harbour there, which would lead a rail line neatly down the outside of that shed. Yes, I realise that's only the lean-to to the original shed ("Shed" seems a little inadequate, unless it's Brunelian deliberate understatement) but I thought the original was not part of the plan. Better look again. That would be perfect for your tram route, which could follow the original ATA route along the Grove. Ah, but we can dream!

Pompey77

April 9th, 2012, 07:19 PM

What is happening on Plot 3?

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/IMG_1125.jpg

Fairly sure its just drainage improvements for the car park.

BoyamIjealous

April 9th, 2012, 10:06 PM

Fairly sure its just drainage improvements for the car park.

Blast! That's not very exciting!

Cuebix

April 10th, 2012, 10:49 AM

Not the most exciting plans but thought I would mention it.

Driving past Shield Retail Park (Filton) and saw a expansion sign. Below is what they are doing. A good sign for retail though, just thought it would have been better to but the actual building closer to the road and parking behind, as it would give better exposure for would be tenants.

If that development gets busy as they hope i'm sure they hope it will then they are going to need some damn good drivers to reverse arctic lorries down that little gap. Why did they put the service sector right by the entrance, Chaos in the making!

IMAGES:

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/ScreenShot2012-04-10at094154.png

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/ScreenShot2012-04-10at094650.png

Red Source

April 10th, 2012, 05:40 PM

Fairly sure its just drainage improvements for the car park.

Hopefully the link will work and give you the answer.......it does appear to be prepriatory work for the Enterprise Zone, temporary usage under a Local Development Order

Nothing specific as yet as to what will actually go there

http://planningonline.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=LZ2Z6PDN00E00

Wetz

April 10th, 2012, 10:42 PM

Geoff, it's now state of the Ark. The signalling will all be done somewhere else come 2015, so the signal box can just vanish. Sounds like completely new kit is on the way, with in-cab at the heart of it. I hope Temple Meads is given a complete makeover - seems pointless not to. The impression given is that all electric and only electric trains will use the Brunel shed, suggesting only that will be cabled. I hope that's not the case. Apart from the Bath / London line, the stretch to Parkway will have to be done, or the trains won't get to their depot. A true Bristol Metro will be easier to achive with all Temple Meads electrified.

Me too, Bertyboy! I had never noticed it before despite walking past many a time, but there is a right turn off the bridge over the floating harbour there, which would lead a rail line neatly down the outside of that shed. Yes, I realise that's only the lean-to to the original shed ("Shed" seems a little inadequate, unless it's Brunelian deliberate understatement) but I thought the original was not part of the plan. Better look again. That would be perfect for your tram route, which could follow the original ATA route along the Grove. Ah, but we can dream!

All the pieces of the jig saw seem to be coming together for the temple quarter enterprise zone. I hope that all the potential that could happen here, is used to the full. This should kick start some investment into the bath road corridor, as this side of city always seems to miss out....

Delirium

April 11th, 2012, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the photos Boyaij.

The idea of a proper Bristol rail metro isn't too far fetched (I'd say not at all but this is the westcountry). Now that electrification is taking place maybe it isn't too unrealistic to expect new stations? The south side of Yate, Winterbourne/Coalpit Heath & Chipping Sodbury are all pretty ideal, in increasing and maintaining passenger numbers for any future rail metro and tackling road congestion.

All the pieces of the jig saw seem to be coming together for the temple quarter enterprise zone. I hope that all the potential that could happen here, is used to the full. This should kick start some investment into the bath road corridor, as this side of city always seems to miss out....

One thing I can hope is that there'll be a relatively reasonable amount of construction and development taking place in and around the enterprise zone, before electrification works are completed in 2030 2017. I hope!

Re Wapping Wharf: I'm guessing from the looks of those renders, if we're lucky, the flats will appear something akin to these ones built nearby:
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02184/bristol-dock_2184501k.jpg
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/uknews/9183638/Britain-from-above-Jason-Hawkes-aerial-photographs-of-cities-at-night.html?frame=2184519

geoffbradford

April 11th, 2012, 10:46 PM

Interestingly Linden homes have started a consultation about the McArthurs warehouse, next door to the SS Great Britain development. At this rate almost all the central area harbour sites except perhaps Redcliffe Wharf, might be developed in the next two years.

http://www.mcarthursconsultation.com/

Schmeek

April 12th, 2012, 08:12 AM

geoffbradford

April 12th, 2012, 11:44 AM

This is excellent news. Thanks D. Always thought those warehouses had great potential and was a shame they are in such a state - they really bring the area down. I know the brt is far from perfect, but I wonder how much of a positive impact it might have on spike island corridor and the area down by the create centre? I take it there will b stops near the ssgb (I presume next 2 that green pedestrian bridge over the new cut) ands create? Has anyone seen the exact plans?

The last route I have seen is the link below. There are two updated documents on the travelplus website but I can't download them - I think the problem is at their end. You can also plough through the engineering drawings for the whole route if you're feeling bored.

http://travelplus.org.uk/media/217809/ashton%20vale%202011.pdf

BoyamIjealous

April 12th, 2012, 07:26 PM

I know the brt is far from perfect, but I wonder how much of a positive impact it might have on spike island corridor and the area down by the create centre? I take it there will b stops near the ssgb (I presume next 2 that green pedestrian bridge over the new cut) ands create? Has anyone seen the exact plans?

The exact plans can all be found through the Travelplus website, they make for slightly interesting reading. I think if anything's going to fall by the wayside, it will be the BRT scheme. There are strings attached to the money, in that there has to be broad public enthusiasm for the scheme, so that money isn't spent on overcoming opposition. Not even Bristol City Council have managed any better than lukewarm, and a protest group has formed. Their argument is that BRT isn't better than nothing, and we would be better off saying "No thanks", and waiting for the opportunity to bid for something decent. I'm inclined to agree - the route to Ashton Vale looks like an awful lot of wonga for not a big benefit. The public inquiry next month could be fun.

If this sounds negative, I'm not surprised. I can't raise enthusiasm for what to me looks like a cheap third-best plan.

Schmeek

April 12th, 2012, 10:01 PM

Yeah I think this seems to be the general consensus. Whilst we are pleased something is planned for this ripe piece of completely underused infrastructure, and that money has been secured, it just feels a bit too compromised and half hearted. There is a sense of 'if you're gonna do it, do it properly', and if recent performance of pressure groups dragging the council through the legal system is anything to go by then BRT could be in for a very rocky ride.
The problem with this is that there is the danger that this potential asset could continue to sit gathering rust and weeds indefinitely; sometimes you have to just go with it when the opportunity arrives. Beggars can't be choosers. Think tropicana and temple circus island. Do we want derelict track symbolising hope of a dream which will never happen, or a workable compromise which has the potential to act as a catalyst for regeneration of the 2 miles or so it passes through?
Anyway, thanks for the links, will have to have a good read and see for myself.

SF-02

April 14th, 2012, 01:12 AM

geoffbradford

April 14th, 2012, 12:21 PM

Hopefully Bristol will have a Mayor with some real power before too much is spent on BRT. The councils' line seems to be we have to spend it on this or get nothing, and the DfT in London are pushing it. The aim should be keeping the money and a Mayor getting the freedom to spend it on what they see as best. The candidates could say what in their manifestos.

Unfortunately central government refuses to make it clear what extra powers, if any, cities with mayors will receive. The transport settlement is for the four councils making up the old Avon area. A mayor who will only control Bristol, will not be allowed to cherry pick funds from parts of the BRT scheme to use how he/she sees fit.

In the absence of an ITA, any mayor for Bristol will have very limited powers when compared to a London Mayor.

RupertSB

April 15th, 2012, 11:00 AM

A small boulder flew into my windscreen creating a 2 inch chip in the glass on my return journey from Cornwall yesterday. I called the national autoglass and made my way to the nearest depot which is in St Phillips by Gardiner Haskins. As I had 45 minutes to kill, I walked round the area with my phone and took some snaps. The potential of this area is really outstanding with it's proximity to Temple Meads and short walk into Cabot and the centre. The dormant sites remind me a bit of the docklands area before all the buildings now surrounding canary whalf went up during the last 10 years. Of course we wont see anything on this scale but the apartments will appeal to professionals working in the array of grade A office space nearby and could create a similar feel. I would hope we could avoid the "dead" and sterile impact though.

Canary wharf in the evening and at weekends feels like 28 days later and lacks any centre or leisure space because everything is targetted to city workers and the working week and struggles to cater for the many residents who now live there in nice modern apartments.

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/6448/img0223qa.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/854/img0223qa.jpg/)

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/1746/img0224ez.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/img0224ez.jpg/)

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/7947/img0225jn.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/43/img0225jn.jpg/)

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/2297/img0226hc.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/825/img0226hc.jpg/)

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/2121/img0227lg.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/img0227lg.jpg/)

What is this, do people have some images?
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/9382/img0229gz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/821/img0229gz.jpg/)

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/9651/img0230dm.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/42/img0230dm.jpg/)

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/9869/img0231a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/542/img0231a.jpg/)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/7408/img0232to.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/217/img0232to.jpg/)

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/825/img0233fu.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/img0233fu.jpg/)

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/105/img0234fy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/img0234fy.jpg/)

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/7620/img0235rh.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/854/img0235rh.jpg/)

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/7960/img0236vz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/84/img0236vz.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

bertyboy

April 15th, 2012, 11:32 AM

What is this, do people have some images?
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/9382/img0229gz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/821/img0229gz.jpg/)

Just a similar building to the one behind it (with the blue elevation):
http://www.barratthomes.co.uk/Find-a-Home/New-Developments/H5649-Nd10--The-Zone/

RupertSB

April 15th, 2012, 01:22 PM

This is excellent news. Thanks D. Always thought those warehouses had great potential and was a shame they are in such a state - they really bring the area down. I know the brt is far from perfect, but I wonder how much of a positive impact it might have on spike island corridor and the area down by the create centre? I take it there will b stops near the ssgb (I presume next 2 that green pedestrian bridge over the new cut) ands create? Has anyone seen the exact plans?

:banana: This is great news and must have a positive impact.

I'm inclinded to agree about the BRT. I think it's a case of it or nothing. Can the BRT be a stepping stone towards something much better one day? I think yes. The BRT is a test case to show an integrated rapid public transport network in Bristol will work and be used and may even be profitable. I just cant see the public purse funding much more expensive light rail schemes without the BRT proving a success first. Perhaps very defeatist but I cant see we have any alternative for now, which is workable.

RupertSB

April 15th, 2012, 01:24 PM

Just a similar building to the one behind it (with the blue elevation):
http://www.barratthomes.co.uk/Find-a-Home/New-Developments/H5649-Nd10--The-Zone/

Cheers Berty - pretty standard design but residents gym is quite cool.

BoyamIjealous

April 15th, 2012, 08:53 PM

:banana: This is great news and must have a positive impact.

I'm inclinded to agree about the BRT. I think it's a case of it or nothing. Can the BRT be a stepping stone towards something much better one day? I think yes. The BRT is a test case to show an integrated rapid public transport network in Bristol will work and be used and may even be profitable. I just cant see the public purse funding much more expensive light rail schemes without the BRT proving a success first. Perhaps very defeatist but I cant see we have any alternative for now, which is workable.

There are two things that could happen. BRT could be very successful, so we'd be stuck with it. Or it could be a white elephant, so we'd be stuck with it. I can see the day coming when buses from Redcliffe to the Centre have to go via Ashton Vale to justify it.

dronkula

April 17th, 2012, 07:44 PM

A small but very welcome improvement in Central Bristol!

Bristol traders take up the challenge to transform the Bearpit
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bristol-traders-challenge-transform-Bearpit/story-15837556-detail/story.html

NEW traders have marked the first steps to regeneration for Bristol's notorious "Bearpit" underpass.

The sunken walkway at St James Barton in the city centre has awoken from years of hibernation with a handful of food and drink stalls.

A fresh fruit stand opened yesterday after a coffee van last week and further additions are anticipated which the Bearpit Improvement Group hopes will kick-start a change of fortunes for the area.

Head of fundraising for the group Robin Halpenny opened the fruit and veg stall on its first day of trading.

He said: "The trade is the key catalyst for everything.

"Just to have some people around makes all the difference down here.

"The biggest problem people have with the Bearpit is feeling safe. It's not the actual crime but the fear of crime which puts people off."

He added: "The more people we get down here then the safer it feels."

Vince Ellis, who opened his coffee van in the Bearpit last week, said: "You can see it all happening already. It's not all going to just change overnight though, but we are getting good responses and people's attitudes about the place will change."

The next addition, due to open this week, is a speciality sausage grill providing lunch and seating.

Michaela Crumpton, who works for the NHS in the South Plaza building which overlooks the Bearpit, walks through the subway every day to get to work.

She said: "It's brilliant. It's about time we had something to stop for here."

Christian Sheen, a student, said: "I walk through here fairly regularly and it's starting to look a lot more presentable now. The changes make people feel comfortable and safe."

However, the developments have not been without their problems. After a long wait to get power installed in the underpass, the group are using two generators paid for at the expense of the council to the tune of £200 a week.

Mr Halpenny said: "The council have been very supportive. They are doing their best but it's the energy company who are stalling. The electricity is connected but we have been waiting for them to install a meter since January."

The Bearpit's dark subways and drab surroundings – especially at night – have made the area unpopular with pedestrians for years.

Plans to transform it into an amphitheatre to attract people and create a venue to stage events were introduced this year.

Changes would see two of the subways closed down and pedestrians would instead cross the busy St James Barton roundabout at street level. The two new road crossings would link up to a central rim that would act as a walkway.

An amphitheatre would be created by installing tiers down to the sunken level which is used by an estimated 14,000 people every day.

Henry Shaftoe, chairman of the Bearpit Improvement Group, has welcomed the new arrivals. He said: "We are trying to change what's been a feared space for years now.

"The Bearpit is a place where people have always hurried through, avoiding eye contact, but that's all changing."

BoyamIjealous

April 17th, 2012, 07:58 PM

Like a lot of Bristol ideas, I wonder why no-one thought of it before? I had noticed with joy that a certain pasty outlet has opened on the bus station side of the pit, just in time for the Chancellor to tax it, and I'm hoping for more things like this in the area. There are too many of the multi nationals and not enough of the little and local outlets around. Good for them, I say!
The amphitheatre sounds ambitious, but why not? "Let's go to the Bearpit" is a phrase seldom used in Bristol in the 35 years I've been here.

hugodrax

April 18th, 2012, 09:28 PM

Looks like works started on more of the buildings at the harbourside:
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd435/Ru_Leamon/Photo18-04-2012175645.jpg

Had a letter though from FDl stating that there starting work on the foundations of Block A. I think, but am not sure, that that's the new office on Anchor Road, opposite the Travel lodge. It'll take Crest 18 months to build the building.

Also work started last week on the gasworks sight that was bought by Linden Homes a few weeks ago. As things progress I'll try and put some pics on here.

bristolboy

April 19th, 2012, 10:04 AM

bristolboy

April 19th, 2012, 10:08 AM

Here is the link to the old plans for the site

http://www.wilkinsoneyre.com/projects/bristol-temple-gate.aspx?category=mixed-use-and-retail

Schmeek

April 19th, 2012, 11:53 AM

Wow that's fantastic news if they really are bringing colletts down, even if they don't plan to build there imminently. I always feel that area area needs opening up. It's claustrophobic and really does suffer from not having a public space or square where people can reflect, kill time & actually slow down and take in the surroundings. It is all so rat-race like. Bish-bosh, 1-2, in they come, out they go. You're funneled in to the cramped ticket office by station approach with no where to go.

Red Source

April 19th, 2012, 01:08 PM

Went past Temple meads earlier and noticed that it looks like collett house is finally being demolished! Anyone have any news on this?
I remember the company BALLYMORE who were going to develop the site got planning permission for new flats and and supermarket and to create a new square.
But stopped all new development once the economy went down the pan.

Doesn't appear to be anything on the planning portal other then the original plans back in 2005. It may have something to do with the "enterpirise zone".

If it is, I fear the LEP and BCC will come up with another appalling plan to convert it into a circus or allotment like they have with plot 3 and the old arena site....

David Cameron wanted these “Enterprise Zones” to be a "hub for modern businesses with reduced business rates, relaxed planning restrictions and access to the latest super-fast broadband to stimulate growth".......I'm sure he is going to be really happy seeing Bristol use this opportunity to pander to the great unwashed juggling beanbags and a prime central site being used to grow veggies....only in Bristol :nuts:

Schmeek

April 19th, 2012, 01:55 PM

Yes on the face of it it does seem out of context with the principles of the enterprise zone but I think the point is that the land will be used in some way whilst it is decided what to put there and how. Hence the nature of the temporary agreement. I think it's a tad ott to declare it for the 'unwashed'. I quite like the idea of a big top and market stalls - would bring a bit of much needed life to the area - and I had a shower this morning! Rather that than derelict land or car parking.

RupertSB

April 19th, 2012, 04:57 PM

More pressure for Saltford Station to reopen when the trainline is electricified.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17769578

BoyamIjealous

April 19th, 2012, 09:47 PM

News of the first exciting developments in the new Enterprise Zone!
DERELICT land earmarked for Bristol’s failed indoor arena is to be turned into allotments.

And another plot of land next to Temple Meads station will become a performance space, complete with circus tent, it has emerged.
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Failed-arena-site-Bristol-turned-allotments/story-15848987-detail/story.html

Not quite what we were expecting after the Prime Minister's visit, but we will at least get a tent. And we'll be able to grow our own potatoes, faintly tasting of diesel.
Only in Bristol...

Delirium

April 19th, 2012, 11:12 PM

It is slightly... bizarre idea, especially considering a year ago business leaders were warning there was significant shortage in quality office space in the city.

Got to love that joined up thinking!

Also, why do I get the feeling that unless they put up some sort of legal framework for any potential future development can take place on site, we'll have another Town Green-esque scenario on our hands? but with allotments.

bertyboy

April 20th, 2012, 12:10 AM

RupertSB

April 20th, 2012, 10:55 AM

Stupid, stupid idea. Allotments quickly gain almost sacrosant status. Once they exist, they will exist forever, thereby rendering a large plot of land in the centre of the city as a garden-shed favella in perpetuity.

I agree. Happy to see the clearing of the sites and temporary structures go up to build some momentum and "fun" but I totally agree with your views on allotments Berty, as they can become treasured green spaces for the "people" and very quickly indeed become emotionally involved.

I also really like the car park at plot 3 because it's so convenient and I can seamlessly enter BTM via it's 'proper' entrance at the side, which is great as I don’t have to see the riff raff queuing for taxis and smoking outside the main entrance.

BoyamIjealous

April 20th, 2012, 08:18 PM

Stupid, stupid idea. Allotments quickly gain almost sacrosant status. Once they exist, they will exist forever, thereby rendering a large plot of land in the centre of the city as a garden-shed favella in perpetuity.

Oi, Bertyboy, not so fast! Hands off my Maris Pipers! As soon as I find where to go, I think I'll put my name down for a plot. Then I can send pictures of green shoots to Dave in London, followed by the first crop of rhubarb.
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/Rhubarb.jpg
(Alright, that one is in my garden)

Seriously, though, er... no, can't take this seriously. A circus tent would make a good headquarters for whichever bunch of clowns thought this one up.

Schmeek

April 20th, 2012, 11:03 PM

Lol!

bertyboy

April 21st, 2012, 12:00 AM

Mmmm, rhubarb crumble!

Schmeek

April 22nd, 2012, 01:40 PM

Has anyone any idea when the airport expansion is due to start?

Delirium

April 23rd, 2012, 03:47 PM

^^came across this: (dated 24th march 2012)
http://www.pprune.org/airlines-airports-routes/281795-bristol-4-a-98.html
At the last consultative committee meeting in January the CEO, Robert Sinclair, told members that the three stands under construction would be completed in April.

He also said that work on extending the passenger security search area was proceeding and it was proposed to develop a new immigration channel to provide additional capacity.

Since then it has been announced a contractor has been appointed as civil and structural designer for the extension of the terminal which will eventually be doubled in size. This contract relates to the western extension.

Unless there has been a hitch previous announcements have indicated that we might expect to see work starting on the airport hotel sometime this year.

So far as based/overnighting aircraft are concerned I think you've pretty well got the list correct - it's basically the same as last summer except for the Eastern Saab which replaces the Dash 8-300.

Ryanair's timetable for the summer requires five based aircraft, though there are one or two gaps where aircraft appear to be 'resting' as there were last summer. I'm assuming that easyJet will be as last summer too, 9 A319s and one A320 (that's what it's been during the winter, though not all were used all of the time, and what Mayfly is showing for next week, the first week of the summer scheduled timetable) with an additional A320 for part of the summer.

TOM ( two 757s and a visiting 767) and TCX (two 320s) are as last summer in terms of based aircraft, as are the overnighters.

I haven't heard anything about TNT.

The CEO told the consultative committee that he anticipated there would be passenger growth of 2-3% in 2012. This would build on the small increases in both 2010 and 2011.

That's about it as far as I'm aware - steady as she goes really.

RupertSB

April 25th, 2012, 01:33 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17836224

Well the date has been set, 14th June is the judicial review date for Bristol City at the High Court in London.

Cuebix

April 25th, 2012, 03:15 PM

geoffbradford

April 25th, 2012, 06:58 PM

Just a quick question...

OK, so say the Judicial Review goes agaist City and they can't build their stadium. Lansdown is a Billionaire and he's probably more annoyed at the time than the money.

So whats to stop Mr Lansdown buying the next few fields along (as long as the owner will sell) and gain planning there instead?

Can they (the Nimbys) ask for a 2nd town green?

Obviously BCC want this to happen so they should allow the planning to go through pretty quickly.

The review is to decide whether the city council reached its decision to only designate part of the site as town green, in an appropriate manner. If the judge says they have failed to do it properly, the council can repeat the procedure, probably by referring the new evidence back to the inspector. They can then decide whether to accept the recommendation the inspector produces, or ignore it all together. There is no legal requirement to follow the inspector's recommendation but the designation process must be done properly and a lot of people are suspecting that first time round it wasn't.

Planning permission has already been granted, so all that is required is a legally valid decision by the council on town green status. The judicial review may delay the process (by insisting on it being done properly, which is no bad thing) but is unlikely to stop the stadium being built.

geoffbradford

April 26th, 2012, 06:40 PM

BoyamIjealous

April 26th, 2012, 07:29 PM

Looks like the wheels are slowly beginning to turn for the enterprise zone. Masterplan unveiled tomorrow.

They seem to be aiming for an arena in about the same place that the last attempt failed to produce one in. Fingers crossed.

It says that nothing has been ruled out. Doesn't seem to have been much ruled in, either. Mention of the BBC makes me wonder if we are looking at a mini-Media City

Red Source

April 27th, 2012, 11:26 AM

Looks like the wheels are slowly beginning to turn for the enterprise zone. Masterplan unveiled tomorrow.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Temple-Quarter-Enterprise-Zone-bring-jobs-new/story-15918850-detail/story.html

They seem to be aiming for an arena in about the same place that the last attempt failed to produce one in. Fingers crossed.

Hmmmm....the enterprise zone, a hub for modern business and heres Bristol's "high flying" attempt to stimulate growth :ohno:

http://planningonline.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/files/F06B766DB35C4525FAD36923CFA49019/pdf/12_01881_PA-SUPPORTING_DOCUMENT-860591.pdf

RupertSB

April 27th, 2012, 12:45 PM

It says that nothing has been ruled out. Doesn't seem to have been much ruled in, either. Mention of the BBC makes me wonder if we are looking at a mini-Media City

Good write up by the BBC about the Enterprise Zone, the government seem to making quite a big deal about it and I really like the bit about the comparison with the Docklands in the 1980s http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14319910

pagey17

April 27th, 2012, 04:59 PM

The whole country should be an enterprise zone admittedly hard with the parlous state of the government finances, but still viable.

geoffbradford

April 28th, 2012, 10:49 AM

Friday's article in the Post about the enterprise zone has a diagram with more detailed information than the online version.

New, potentially quite high office block on the undeveloped site next to the railway on the Temple Quay north side of the river.

BBC building on the site at present being used as a car park.

Digby Wyatt shed seems to be extended over the signal box site. Also extended to the Temple Quay side.

Transport interchange on the unused land beside the Brunel shed. Interestingly shows the Temple Circus roundabout removed and replaced with a cross roads.

George hotel site redeveloped as per current p.p.

Incline to station changed to "pedestrian friendly" piazza.

Sorting office converted to hub for creative and media companies.

12,000 seat indoor arena on diesel depot site.

dronkula

April 28th, 2012, 01:28 PM

geoffbradford

April 28th, 2012, 02:46 PM

Has the BBC actually said they're going to move to the Enterprise zone? Last I heard they were actually moving up to Aztec West? With the cost cutting the Beeb has to do at the moment would they really want to build new studios/offices from scratch?

They have said that the Whiteladies Rd site is now basically unfit for purpose. Nothing has been confirmed other than the BBC saying they are in discussions about a potential move to the enterpise zone. It could work well for both sides. The enterprise zone offers the BBC a really good deal because they make the perfect anchor for a creative/media led masterplan. The BBC get a new site right next to a refurbished Temple Meads and a new BRT interchange, with the electrified trains leaving every 15 minutes for London. Potentially a winner all round.

tpm

April 28th, 2012, 02:56 PM

I seem to remember (from comments a few months back) that the BBC would really prefer a location around the Docks and are explicitly not that keen on being right next to Temple Meads / trains to London, but maybe that's changed. Also, it's hard to see where there's space for them around the harbour. Perhaps around the Create centre, but that side of the harbour is not the most exciting area. I hope they can be persuaded to move into the Enterprise Zone.

Schmeek

April 28th, 2012, 06:11 PM

bertyboy

April 28th, 2012, 07:23 PM

I'd quite like to see them based at harbourside, but like you say, they've left it a little late for that - theres not alot of space left down there. But if the bbc moving to temple quarter represents a tipping point with regards to the overall success of the EZ, then I'd rather they move there.
Temple meads has long suffered due to it's geographic location, and so has the city. This really would make a huge change to the dynamics of our city, if even half of it came off, and would also sow the seeds for the future transformation/absorption of st phillips.

If the BBC were to buy the horrible 1960s building that Burges Salmon currently occupy on Prince Street:
http://maps.google.com/?ll=51.450848,-2.596499&spn=0.000859,0.002642&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=51.450785,-2.596515&panoid=MokbRRnaiUDduZ5ufkAz0Q&cbp=12,327.48,,0,-4.93
and replaced it with a 7-9 storey tower with interesting architectural merit, they could have a newsroom that looked over the Watershed/City Centre.

Cuebix

April 28th, 2012, 09:32 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thats a much better plan, but dont think they would do that!!!

Do they fully own the site at Whiteladies?

bertyboy

April 28th, 2012, 11:11 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thats a much better plan, but dont think they would do that!!!

Do they fully own the site at Whiteladies?

I believe so, yes. It's an odd collection of buildings for a broadcaster. The modern Italianate section has some modern studios, but the rest of the site is really just houses connected together with plasterboard tunnels.
The Beeb could actually make a large amount if they sold the complex off as separate houses again (plus an office building). They might want to keep the natural history studios at the back.

Delirium

April 28th, 2012, 11:31 PM

So the demolition of Collett House (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=51.448337,-2.583203&spn=0.016235,0.045319&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=51.448239,-2.58304&panoid=bGWGWClJ22u0sP7LXc8WyA&cbp=12,65.71,,0,-6.14) is directly related to the enterprise zone like people thought. Nice to see they've started work on the scheme almost immediately; a rare thing in Bristol, maybe this enterprise zone might turn out...

...Actually no, I can't say it. Maybe when half the zone is filled with substantial construction work I might let my optimism run free, but until then-

As for the arena, I'll only believe it when it's 100% completed with it's doors ready to open, and not a minute sooner.

geoffbradford

April 28th, 2012, 11:57 PM

So the demolition of Collett House (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=51.448337,-2.583203&spn=0.016235,0.045319&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=51.448239,-2.58304&panoid=bGWGWClJ22u0sP7LXc8WyA&cbp=12,65.71,,0,-6.14) is directly related to the enterprise zone like people thought. Nice to see they've started work on the scheme almost immediately; a rare thing in Bristol, maybe this enterprise zone might turn out...

I'm not sure that they actually are demolishing Collett House. The newspaper article refers to conversion to studios. I'd much rather they bulldozed it and started again.

geoffbradford

April 29th, 2012, 12:02 AM

I'd quite like to see them based at harbourside, but like you say, they've left it a little late for that - theres not alot of space left down there. But if the bbc moving to temple quarter represents a tipping point with regards to the overall success of the EZ, then I'd rather they move there.
Temple meads has long suffered due to it's geographic location, and so has the city. This really would make a huge change to the dynamics of our city, if even half of it came off, and would also sow the seeds for the future transformation/absorption of st phillips.

Would the BBC have enough space if they developed the site that was earmarked for the cancelled concert hall? That would be a great location, but perhaps it's too cramped and there is probably a fair amount of pressure towards Temple Meads being applied.

Delirium

April 29th, 2012, 12:34 AM

I'm not sure that they actually are demolishing Collett House. The newspaper article refers to conversion to studios. I'd much rather they bulldozed it and started again.

Yeah I'd prefer that too, however given the current state, a refurb' probably wouldn't be the worst thing.

BoyamIjealous

April 29th, 2012, 11:17 PM

I've been in the BBC buildings, and Bertyboy's point is well made. There's a lot of des res potential in those places. Not only that, a lot of what isn't BBC around the area is University - they may like some of the buildings, either for student housing or extra academic space. But I can't see Temple Meads area as being the first choice for a new Media City style development. Too noisy - think Downton Abbey with distant train horns.

In re public transport, to digress, I have been reading through some of the objections to the Bus Rabid Transit scheme that have been lodged with the inquiry - http://www.persona.uk.com/ashton/PoE_Interested_Parties.htm. To my already biased mind, they address the herd of elephants in the room, and seem cogent and persuasive in a way the Councils' detailed plans do not. They share my view that there are better alternatives with greater potential benefits that have been pooh-poohed by the "experts" who think that only money for BRT can be had right now. It's unfortunate that the bid was prepared just as "Green Light for Light Rail" was on its way to the printers, but the BRT scheme has the potential to make us look like country bumpkins with a 1960s-style idea that we think is cutting edge.

Schmeek

April 30th, 2012, 11:35 AM

I'm pretty sure the boardings surrounding collet house had 'demolition' on them.
@berty: I completely forgot about that old burgess salmon building... Is it vacant now? Has there been any talk about it?
@geoff: do you mean the former diesel depot? I think that would be a fantastic location for a quality regional hq for the beeb(if a little noisy), if the arena is not to go there. I know there is a new bridge linking the plot to cattle market road in the pipeline, regardless of what well go there, although I'm unsure whether this is to be a plain structure or something more striking...
Would be nice to see that stretch of the new cut given a new lease of life from there up toward the paint works.

bertyboy

April 30th, 2012, 02:20 PM

@Schmeek: I'm not sure if anyone else took over the lease after Burges Salmon moved out. As far as I know it's still empty. Horrible building, though - I hope someone does replace it with something decent, given its prime location.

Schmeek

April 30th, 2012, 03:07 PM

Yeah I agree. Real potential there. It's a sizeable lump as well, plenty to work with.

RupertSB

April 30th, 2012, 05:09 PM

Delirium

April 30th, 2012, 10:04 PM

I've been in the BBC buildings, and Bertyboy's point is well made. There's a lot of des res potential in those places. Not only that, a lot of what isn't BBC around the area is University - they may like some of the buildings, either for student housing or extra academic space. But I can't see Temple Meads area as being the first choice for a new Media City style development. Too noisy - think Downton Abbey with distant train horns.

Regardless, I don't think the BBC would be perturbed in their decision to relocate due to the noise in Temple meads; maybe if they planned on broadcasting exclusively outside, or in rooms with no sound proofing whatsoever... at a television studio.

Jus' saying. :shifty:

I'm pretty sure the boardings surrounding collet house had 'demolition' on them.

Huzzah!

I know I'll regret typing this but, I have a good feeling about this enterprise zone.

Wetz

April 30th, 2012, 10:16 PM

geoffbradford

April 30th, 2012, 10:49 PM

@geoff: do you mean the former diesel depot? I think that would be a fantastic location for a quality regional hq for the beeb(if a little noisy), if the arena is not to go there.

I meant, but didn't describe very well, the site for the "exploding greenhouse" on harbourside, between Lloyds TSB and Bordeaux Quay. Still waiting for a use over a decade later.

On a bit of a tangent, there is more detailed information available for the Wapping Wharf site.

http://planningonline.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=M20HTTDNK8000

geoffbradford

April 30th, 2012, 10:56 PM

Check out the future plans for temple meads station. This is what is needed if Bristol wants to enter the premier leauge of cities.

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2012/04/30/network-rail-unveils-major-bristol-station-revamp/

That's a good find. I wonder if "additional infrastructure on the line to Bristol Parkway", means we definitely will get the four tracks restored which the whole Greater Bristol Metro thing hangs on.

Looks promising

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Our-vision-for-transforming-Bristol-Temple-Meads-into-a-world-class-railway-hub/

BoyamIjealous

May 1st, 2012, 01:06 AM

I know I'll regret typing this but, I have a good feeling about this enterprise zone.

Me too, although I hope to get at least one crop of King Edwards, and see at least one lion-taming act go horribly wrong, before work starts in earnest.

That's a good find. I wonder if "additional infrastructure on the line to Bristol Parkway", means we definitely will get the four tracks restored which the whole Greater Bristol Metro thing hangs on.

Looks promising

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Our-vision-for-transforming-Bristol-Temple-Meads-into-a-world-class-railway-hub/

I like the Network Rail leaflet. It says so little in such a tantalising way, with hints, yet no commitments, that it could yet be given an award for commendable obfuscation in a quasi-governmental publication. "Additional infrastructure on the line to Bristol Parkway" could be anything from a new axle counter to four tracks all the way, with reopened Ashley Down and Horfield stations served by 10 trains every hour of the day and night. And yet I like it, and think it could be a masterstroke.

To me, it is a pointer to Network Rail being in favour of four tracks, if nothing else. That will cost around £60 million on its own, and NR can't tell the DfT how they would like to spend other people's hard-earned (or ill-gotten, who cares?) tax money. The local politicos can at least try, though. This leaflet gives a subtle hint that NR will point out the advantages, so long as someone asks them, of undertaking a project that will hardly be noticed by most of Bristol whilst being done, but will have a far-reaching effect on city life for years to come.

That stretch of line is already chocko. We have all the cross-country, local, freight, engineering, intercity, and whatever else that finds its way down Filton Bank. In the near future (next 15 years at Government speed, but many of these things will happen within 5 years) we have more trains likely from Portbury Dock, plus whatever turns right at Filton on its way from the forthcoming Deepwater Port at Avonmouth. Add extra electric services to and from London via Parkway, and electric trains heading for the new depot at Stoke Gifford, and suddenly you realise that extra tracks will be needed just to retain the status quo, let alone expand into a Bristol Metro. In the middle of all this, you conveniently add the Enterprise Zone, much lauded by none other than our Prime Minister. Then there's the putative Arena project, with pots of cash already spent, but still a twinkle in someone's eye, and the new Ashton Gate footie ground.

I've said before on this site that transport is key. Put transport links in place, the rest will follow. For the enterprise zone, and all the rest of the wish list to succeed, people need to be able to get to them easily. Four tracks from Patchway to Temple Meads will lay a solid keel upon which the rest can be more easily built.

Schmeek

May 1st, 2012, 07:18 PM

Photo fest coming up later when I get a chance to upload, focusing on the usual developments.

Schmeek

May 1st, 2012, 11:32 PM

Here we go!

Sorry if some are a little repetitive, I wasn't sure which ones to use...

To start with some good news - here's Collett House... or rather what's left of it:

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/Copyof2012-05-01142218.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/Copyof2012-05-01142118.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/Copyof2012-05-01142108.jpg

Some more good news- the last piece of the Harbourside is well and truly underway. Groundworks on the last major building(building 4), the promenade and the old buildings at the western end have commenced at last! The one closest Anchor Rd was riddled with diggers and hi-viz clad workmen banging around inside. Most excellent.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01135123.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01133059.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01133331.jpg

Promenade from the Inlet:

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01133401.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01133434.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01133117.jpg

And from the other end:

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01134557.jpg

The other side:

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01134928.jpg

Cabot house. Really like this one, fits in nicely:

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01131645.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01131957.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01131927.jpg

Finzels Reach. Sorry, didn't have the time to enter the complex this time. Would recommend it if you are in passing though:

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01141355.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/Copyof2012-05-01140618.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01140541.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/Copyof2012-05-01140642.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/Copyof2012-05-01141423.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/Copyof2012-05-01140835.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/Copyof2012-05-01141407.jpg

Here is the new HQ for IMperial Tobacco, Winterstoke Rd:

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-04-03111700.jpg

A few extra bonus pics now.
Really chuffed to find a new observation point today - anyone know where it is??

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/cityview.jpg

View of the cathedral @harbourside:

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01134009.jpg

And the cathedral/Radisson Blu from Cabot house:

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/2012-05-01131744.jpg

Further news:
Noticed St. Peter's House (big ugly building at the roundabout with Anchor Rd and Jacob Wells rd) has been whitewashed. Not sure when, but it definately improves things.

The evening post building is being tarted up at the Northern end, and the empty land there is being advertised/marketed for apartments.

The Fire station at Bridewell street has scaffolding around it - is this the urban splash project?

Finally, just seen this:http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Developers-reveal-vision-key-city-centre-site/story-15968055-detail/story.html

geoffbradford

May 2nd, 2012, 12:15 AM

Great pictures despite the weather Schmeek. Your new location must be somewhere near the footbridge over the railway line in St Werburghs?

Glad to see the last bits of habourside underway finally. The fire station scaffolding is probably the government funded youth centre, the name of which escapes me.

I'm so pleased Collett House is in bits, I really didn't want to look at a refurbished version of it.

bertyboy

May 2nd, 2012, 12:26 AM

Really chuffed to find a new observation point today - anyone know where it is??

That would be next to the railway junction behind the St Werburghs climbing centre.

Schmeek

May 2nd, 2012, 12:30 AM

Well done both of you. Really good vantage point with a different angle from the ones I've become used to.
I've been climbing at the church in the past, but never knew of this path before.

dronkula

May 2nd, 2012, 09:56 PM

In the EP they're got a story about a revamp at The Galleries.

The Foodcourt is moving to the middle floor so that a 'new anchor tenant' can take over where the food court is.

The new anchor tenant is not quite Harvey Nicks. It's 99p stores. But The Galleries is not going downmarket.

Pompey77

May 2nd, 2012, 10:10 PM

was going to ask if anyone knew whats going on there, snapped a pic earlier;
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/regabc123/IMAG0549.jpg

Delirium

May 2nd, 2012, 11:14 PM

Cheers for the update Schmeek.

RE: Galleries shopping centre:
Despite the imminent arrival of a new cut-price tenant, the landlords are adamant that the aim is not to go down-market.

Probably because it already has.

Or rather, there's nothing there. If it wasn't for the multi-storey car park, the fact that it's built on a slope, and a tiny handful of key/'vital' tenants; some of which have futures that aren't looking too bright, the place would have completely died on it's arse by now.

streetlegal

May 3rd, 2012, 09:30 AM

Shame. I have a soft spot for The Galleries.

BS1

May 3rd, 2012, 01:33 PM

It's only small, but I've found a little render of the regeneration of the derelict building on the harbourside, from the developers.... Looks pretty nice?

http://www.bedminsterpeople.co.uk/images/localpeople/ugc-images/275625/Article/images/15601127/3647542.png

Schmeek

May 3rd, 2012, 01:40 PM

Cheers for the update Schmeek.

RE: Galleries shopping centre:

Probably because it already has.

Or rather, there's nothing there. If it wasn't for the multi-storey car park, the fact that it's built on a slope, and a tiny handful of key/'vital' tenants; with the futures of some them looking none too bright, the place would have completely died on it's arse by now.

Empty it out and stick an ice rink in there.

Good find bs1. Think it will make a massive difference to have that part completed. One day I will have my own little boat moored down at that inlet!

RupertSB

May 3rd, 2012, 02:44 PM

Great grand tour Schmeek.

Here is a new render for Glassfields and a link with an update fro EG.

http://www.estatesgazette.com/blogs/focus/2012/04/exclusive-images-of-bristol-glassfields.html

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/51/smallglassfields20avon2.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/822/smallglassfields20avon2.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Delirium

May 3rd, 2012, 03:03 PM

Empty it out and stick an ice rink in there.
Not such a bad idea. Hell it wouldn't be such a bad idea if they hollowed it out and turn it into something akin to the Rag and Bullring indoor markets in Birmingham, it's half way there already.

Looks pretty nice?

It sorta does... here's hoping it turns out that way.

Shame. I have a soft spot for The Galleries.

You shouldn't, it's crap.

Schmeek

May 4th, 2012, 09:05 AM

bertyboy

May 4th, 2012, 09:25 AM

It's looking like most cities have rejected elected mayors. Bristol results still not in yet.

Pompey77

May 4th, 2012, 09:44 AM

Expected at 14.00

Delirium

May 4th, 2012, 02:37 PM

We wait with baited breath...low turnout a predicted. No one really knows what they're voting for, and how it will affect them. Slightly irritated that I live just on the wrong side of the city boundary this morning.

In other news http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Ashton-Vale-stadium-plan-square/story-16000086-detail/story.html probably a good idea and also a good day for a council with their trail between their legs to slip this under the radar.

If the enterprise zone arena gets built it may potentially make any royal fuck up regarding ashton vale much more easy to take. If they muck up the stadium and the enterprise zone... yikes! But I'd rather live with a more optimistic outlook, more likely to stay sane that way.

It's looking like most cities have rejected elected mayors. Bristol results still not in yet.

Trying to guess the outcome but I have no idea what the result will be for Bristol; so far the others that voted no for a mayor, such as Manchester and Nottingham were largely expected to vote as such long before the polling stations opened, but for us I have no idea. Either weak yes or a weak no vote wouldn't surprise me.

Delirium

May 4th, 2012, 03:29 PM

Seems we're getting an elected mayor.

Bristol votes in favour of directly elected mayor

Bristol has voted in favour of a directly elected mayor to run the city council by a margin of about 5,100 votes.

From a turnout of 24%, 41,032 people voted in favour of a mayor, while 35,880 voted against.

The lowest polling station turnout was at the Register Office in Cabot ward where just 6% of the population cast their vote.

An election for the mayor is to be held later in the year.

Ten cities held similar referendums and mayoral elections took place in London, Salford and Liverpool.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17922812

So, just under 54% of the vote. I'm slightly more pleased with the outcome, given as the alternative to the Yes vote seemed to be along the lines of ''Keep the same stupid, dysfunctional system as before, we're not offering any alternatives". I'm somewhat apprehensive as it depends on what powers the mayor will be granted, although there is the potential for the mayor to acquire more powers in the future, so not a massively pressing concern...

bertyboy

May 4th, 2012, 07:04 PM

BoyamIjealous

May 4th, 2012, 07:17 PM

I could understand it if it meant having one executive person *instead* of the BCC cabinet, but my understanding is that the mayor is an *extra* level of bureaucracy, which may not be a good thing. I always think the solution to the problems of politics is not to throw more politicians at it.

If I have this right, the mayor does things alone, and can be overturned by two-thirds of the council. I'm not sure of my facts, because as I live in BS4, I didn't get the information leaflet "published" by the council.

I looked at the facts. Bristol City Council's cabinet don't want a mayor, so it sounds like a good idea to me. But David Cameron does want one, which made me think it wasn't such a good idea. In the end, I voted "yes", as my coin came down "Heads".

Connoisseur1

May 4th, 2012, 08:28 PM

I hope the elected mayor pushes for a re-drawing of the Bristol city border.

Schmeek

May 4th, 2012, 08:58 PM

I looked at the facts. Bristol City Council's cabinet don't want a mayor, so it sounds like a good idea to me. But David Cameron does want one, which made me think it wasn't such a good idea. In the end, I voted "yes", as my coin came down "Heads".

Agreed. That was my point earlier. People are voting blind. I kind of wanted a mayor just to see if it would improve things, as without one we'd never know. Now, how does one put oneself forward...

Delirium

May 4th, 2012, 09:42 PM

If I have this right, the mayor does things alone, and can be overturned by two-thirds of the council. I'm not sure of my facts, because as I live in BS4, I didn't get the information leaflet "published" by the council.

I dunno if that's such a bad idea? I mean, imagine the scenario where 2/3rds of the council overturned any decision a future mayor makes regardless, that's hardly due to the mayoral system. It could also act as a failsafe, as we may (god forbid) end up with a crappy mayor. There's always the possibility (however small) that the future mayor may have the powers to veto legislation at some point.

Also as a side note, I was one of the addresses that got one that shouldn't have (S-glos represent!) and quite frankly there wasn't anything on it that you couldn't find easily online. :cripes:

I looked at the facts. Bristol City Council's cabinet don't want a mayor, so it sounds like a good idea to me. But David Cameron does want one, which made me think it wasn't such a good idea. In the end, I voted "yes", as my coin came down "Heads".

:okay: I think you made the right choice.

I doubt the council would have done anything to change the current system had a no vote gone forward. Even if it's not all it's cracked up to be, I still think it's better to find out firsthand than reminisce about ''what could have been..."

RupertSB

May 4th, 2012, 11:21 PM

I dunno if that's such a bad idea? I mean, imagine the scenario where 2/3rds of the council overturned any decision a future mayor makes regardless, that's hardly due to the mayoral system. It could also act as a failsafe, as we may (god forbid) end up with a crappy mayor. There's always the possibility (however small) that the future mayor may have the powers to veto legislation at some point.

Also as a side note, I was one of the addresses that got one that shouldn't have (S-glos represent!) and quite frankly there wasn't anything on it that you couldn't find easily online. :cripes:

:okay: I think you made the right choice.

I doubt the council would have done anything to change the current system had a no vote gone forward. Even if it's not all it's cracked up to be, I still think it's better to find out firsthand than reminisce about ''what could have been..."

Lord mayor versus elected mayor summary below is quite a good read. Amazing to think Bristol's had a Mayor for 800 years and we still dont have a light rail system to get us up and down Whiteladies Road!

Could this not be our prize for the only core city to vote yes out of the 10. The government wont be happy about the 9 no votes as it makes their plan of devolved English power look bad. Labour tried in 2004 with regional parliments and that failed. I think people are put off by adding another layer of politics but the arguement was not made well locally and I for one had to look high and low for any real information to make my decision.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17791470

BoyamIjealous

May 5th, 2012, 11:43 AM

Lord mayor versus elected mayor summary below is quite a good read. Amazing to think Bristol's had a Mayor for 800 years and we still dont have a light rail system to get us up and down Whiteladies Road!

Could this not be our prize for the only core city to vote yes out of the 10. The government wont be happy about the 9 no votes as it makes their plan of devolved English power look bad. Labour tried in 2004 with regional parliaments and that failed. I think people are put off by adding another layer of politics but the argument was not made well locally and I for one had to look high and low for any real information to make my decision.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17791470

Right on, Rupe!I will vote for a little pink pussy cat in a chain of office if it promises to go to the PM and say "Oi! Dave! Put your money where your mouth is, posh boy, and let us upgrade the crap Bus Rabid Transit scheme to light rail, or even better, tram-train!" Transport is the key - get that right, the rest will follow.

Speaking of transport, a letter appeared in the BEP last night:

AS A former railway man, I am writing to comment on a recently announced proposal, to bring the old Brunel Train Shed at Bristol Temple Meads back into use, as the terminus of the post-2016 London route electric trains.

Although this sounds like a nice idea, it is, unfortunately, operationally barmy. This is because it entails a wasteful use of limited capacity. And we need all the capacity we can get, if we are to have improved local services, under the other recently announced (all council backed) concept of a Bristol Metro network.

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/Boyamijealous/3751435.jpg

How Brunel's Train Shed could look with electric trains

It would add to the number of platforms, but they still have to be used sensibly, according to the direction of travel of the various services.

Put simply, the Shed is on the left, and via Bath, London trains turn right, so there is conflict with all left-turning services (the busiest exit from Temple Meads, with trains for Parkway, Cardiff, and Birmingham etc).

This is not a problem currently, because London via Bath trains mostly use platforms on the right hand side of the station.

I wrote to Great Western Trains to ask where they stand on this vital issue. 'No comment at this time' was their response.

I interpret this as meaning they know my caveat is valid, but dare not say so, for 'political reasons'.

J A G**** (British Rail Western Region civil engineer, 1968-93)
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Brunel-s-old-train-shed-Temple-Meads-wrong-place/story-15992939-detail/story.html

What our correspondent doesn't mention is that the trains using the Brunel Shed will go via Bristol Parkway. Trains via Bath and 'Nam will continue to use platforms 12 and 13, OSIU. Writing to FGW for details of a route they may not even be involved with, depending on franchise, would be unlikely to elicit a response.

Like the picture! I look forward to seeing the real thing.