New North Filton rail station approved

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An artists impression of the new station for North Filton

South Gloucestershire Council has today granted planning permission for the new North Filton Station, which will connect rail services to the new community, known as ‘Brabazon’, being developed on the former Filton Airfield site, as well as visitors to the new Arena.

The new station is part of the MetroWest project and will also benefit existing and future residents and businesses in Filton and Patchway and bring people to and from Cribbs Causeway shopping mall.

Up to 6,000 new homes are planned to be delivered in the next 20 years in the local area and providing reliable public transport links to Bristol and the region will help to make these new communities sustainable and successful.

Regular trains from the new North Filton station will connect to the Henbury Link, from Henbury to Temple Meads via Filton and Ashley Down. The council received revised plans for the new station just before Christmas from Network Rail and fast-tracked its final assessment of the proposals to enable a decision to be made promptly, so that work on the station could begin as soon as possible. It is hoped the station will be complete by 2026.

Councillor Steve Reade, cabinet member with responsibility for planning and strategic infrastructure at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “This is a significant milestone, and I am pleased the council has been able to prioritise its efforts to accelerate the delivery of the planning permission for the new station.

“North Filton Station will support not only the growing resident population, but the new and existing infrastructure, businesses and entertainment facilities, which will attract visitors from across the region and beyond to this part of South Gloucestershire. Having regular and reliable public transport links will be vital to make this area an attractive place to live, work and visit.

“This decision will now enable our delivery partners to take forward the new station without delay to serve the new arena, existing residents and businesses and the new community at Brabazon.”