Henbury station secures planning approval

The region's commitment to new town delivery has been boosted after plans for a new railway at Henbury took a step forward this week. The station project is mainly funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with contributions from South Gloucestershire Council and Bristol City Council, with Network Rail as a key partner. 

Just four days after the Government’s New Towns Taskforce recommended Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc for new town status, Henbury station proposals were approved by South Gloucestershire Council’s Strategic Sites Delivery Committee. 

The West Innovation Arc proposal is for a corridor of connected development across Brabazon, a transformed Bristol Parkway station, and the Bristol & Bath Science Park, underpinned by new sustainable transport. 

Henbury and North Filton station are two, planned new stations on the Henbury line that will help transform public transport in the region. 

The next stage for the Henbury station project is the Full Business Case, which will be discussed by the Mayor and council leaders at their next meeting on 17 October. 

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: 

“Building new railway stations will improve transport connections for existing communities and for new residents, giving people a sustainable way to travel and get around the West. 

“In the week that we launched our new Growth Strategy, saw our part of the world recommended for one of England’s 12 new towns, and heard that GWR services will come back into public control, this is another welcome step forward for our region.” 

Councillor Chris Willmore, South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure, said: 

“The approval of the plans for Henbury Station by South Gloucestershire Council is a significant milestone for the station project and the wider rail delivery programme.  

“The station will provide accessible and sustainable public transport infrastructure for existing and future communities, giving local residents and workers a viable option for travelling by means other than private car, reducing congestion and helping to make the area an even more attractive place to live, work and visit.  

“The new station will provide much improved access to key destinations, both nearby and further afield.” 

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

“It’s fantastic to see the Henbury station project moving forward. 

“Reopening this line to passengers will give people in north Bristol a greener, more convenient way to travel, and better connect communities to jobs, education and leisure. Rail investment like this is vital for creating a sustainable transport network that meets the needs of our growing city and region, further encouraging people to choose public transport.” 

Subject to funding approvals, Henbury station will be built on land just off Gainsborough Avenue. Once built, there will initially be one train an hour from Henbury into Bristol Temple Meads with average journey times of 26 minutes via North Filton, Filton Abbey Wood and Ashley Down, Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill. 

Henbury previously had a railway station nearby but it closed in the Beeching Cuts of the 1960s.  

The proposals for Henbury station are part of wider rail investment plans in the West of England. Five new stations are set to be built over the coming years in the West: Charfield, Henbury, North Filton, Pill, and Portishead. 

These add to the two new stations opened in recent years, including Ashley Down which celebrated its first birthday and over 100,000 journeys at the weekend. They form part of the region’s ambitious wider £400 million rail investment plan which includes building new stations and adding extra services.