I've ridden on a Malaysian train, and they seem to know what they're doing. I can't see that being much help, though.

It does seem ambitious. The MCA’s website talks of an ‘accelerated’ programme:

https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/news/mayor-welcomes-2-billion-investment-for-region/

Ashley Down Station took about 15 months from mobilisation on site to main works completion, so it is possible if mobilisation plans are well advanced. But without Henbury terminus in place, how would Brabazon be served? Others with a better understanding of track and signalling may have a view on this…

With four days to go before outline planning permission expires, YTL have submitted a fairly lightweight application for the Bristol Arena:

https://pa.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SCK2NXDNFOJ00

A cynic would say that they are doing the bare minimum to keep this scheme alive...

Hope there's someone on site that understands the door opening protocol,as I recall the main doors are temperature dependant and must only be opened below a set wind speed

Preparation Works Begin to Transform Brabazon Hangars into South West's First Arena



Site preparation and enabling work has begun on the transformative project that will breathe new life into the iconic Brabazon Hangars in Bristol. This historic site, once a vital part of Britain's aviation past, is set to be reborn as a leading live entertainment and cultural hub for the South West.

The initial phase of the project began with decontamination of the site carried out by Omega Environmental Services. This will be followed by demolition of non-essential structures before starting the main construction programme.

YTL Construction UK, a new company that will be part of the international YTL Group, will be responsible for transforming the historic Brabazon Hangars into the premier music venue for Bristol and the South West, and the fourth largest indoor Arena in the UK. With over 60 years of experience delivering complex and innovative projects across diverse sectors, including rail, infrastructure, performing arts centres, and iconic high-rise developments, the new company will be building on the success of the group model based in Malaysia.

"We're pleased with the progress and are pushing forward, albeit slower than originally planned." says Andrew Billingham, CEO of YTL Arena Bristol. "Handing over the Hangars to Omega represents a pivotal milestone. We have tackled challenges head-on making crucial decisions to expedite the opening while ensuring we deliver one of the premier arenas in Europe. Once main construction has started, we estimate it being a two-and-a-half-year build programme."

...contiunes at source

“We have been working positively with YTL Developments and National Highways to ensure the right infrastructure will be in place."

Not completely impossible is get Marvin out of the way, and install a council with a mandate to build an arena on the original spot. It has planning permission.

Now, if you wanted to get all conspiratorial you might wonder if it's any coincidence that Marv's stint as Mayor ends in May 2024? For that matter, the next UK General Election has to be held no later than Jan 2025.

So get Marv safely out of the way, see which way the political wind is blowing, get the arena soft-launched in 2025 with bookings for the big stuff in 2026.

That assumes we win in 2039.    The "Coffee Shop Moderator Singers" have noted this and will be at practice from later this year to ensure that the UK does so ... with their song "When will trains return to Portishead"

If Eurovision is still going in 2040, Bristol could be ready to make a bid.

Good job Bristol didn't get the Eurovision Song Contest gig!

A long-awaited city concert arena will not open until late 2025 or early 2026.

The Bristol arena, originally planned to open in 2024, will potentially now not hold its first event until two years later than hoped.

CEO of developer YTL, Andrew Billingham, said Covid and "challenges" in the construction industry are behind the delay.

When completed, the arena - part of the Brabazon development - will have a capacity of 19,000.

The three Brabazon Hangars on Filton Airfield, once home to Concorde, are being developed into the arena, with conference space, after YTL bought the site in 2015.

In a statement released on Monday, Mr Billingham said "good progress" was being made on the arena, and YTL was entering "the final stages" of the design process.

The potential capacity for the arena has been increased from 17,000 to 19,000

But he added: "Given delays resulting from the impact of Covid and the general challenges in the construction market, our estimated opening is now late 2025 to early 2026.

"YTL is totally committed to opening Bristol's first major indoor music arena and entertainment complex.

"Work has begun on key pieces of infrastructure required including new road connections, establishing new power supplies and site preparation works."

In October it was announced that a new train station for the arena also faced delays and will not be ready for passengers until 2026.

"The train station at Brabazon is an important element and discussions continue on how this might be brought forward," added Mr Billingham.

YTL was given planning permission in October to build Brabazon Park, a huge new urban park which will sit alongside the arena.

The company has also announced it will be working with Bristol-based interior designers Studio B on the look of the building.

A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: "We recognise how the impacts of Covid and the difficulties in the construction market have impacted on everybody and so it's no surprise that YTL have also been affected by a delay.

"We remain delighted and excited that Bristol will have a world class arena that will bring all major acts and sporting events to the city and are grateful for YTL for taking on all the risk and costs that come with the project."

There's predictions of traffic gridlock reported on Bristol Live if the railway station doesn't open until a year after the YTL venue opens....as seems likely now.

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-arena-transport-delays-could-7732864?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#amp-readmore-target

Mayor Marv does seem to be blaming current political and economic uncertainty on delays that have been much longer in the making.

Shouldn't that read "arenal"? 

Shouldn't that read "arenal"? 

Nearly as good an idea as building the arena next to Temple Meads would have been.

Now wouldn't it be a good idea to build it with 12-car platforms and OHLE down to Temple Meads so an intensive EMU-shuttle service with 387's can be run for events ;-)

Now wouldn't it be a good idea to build it with 12-car platforms and OHLE down to Temple Meads so an intensive EMU-shuttle service with 387's can be run for events ;-)

Bristol Arena: YTL confirms work has started and 2024 opening is 'on track'

Developer YTL says there are "numerous work-streams currently in flow" including at Filton Airfield

Work has started on YTL Arena Bristol and it remains on track to open in 2024, it’s been confirmed.

Developer YTL says there are "numerous work-streams currently in flow" to support the Arena, including construction at Filton Airfield.

It comes after the Arena's Chief Executive said last year that work would start in 2022, following a delay caused by coronavirus.

A spokesperson for YTL told Bristol Live: “There are numerous work-streams currently in flow for a major project of this scale, including several infrastructure packages of works on Filton Airfield that will support the Arena.”

According to traffic site One Network, work started on Monday (February 7) at the Airfield, now Brabazon Hangars, and is ongoing until November 11.

[...]

It will be connected to Bristol city centre via a new train station as well as buses, and a dedicated Metrobus route linking the city centre to Cribbs Causeway.

Last month it was confirmed that YTL will pay for shuttle buses to get people to the Arena.

Read full article

Has Henbury been forgotten about?

No.

Has Henbury been forgotten about?

Getting a bit wordy, Lee:



or once the Bristol Subway is open:

I suppose getting them to go the whole hog and add the word "Platform" would be too much to ask...

The planning application for North Filton (for yes, that it what it sounds like it will be called) is now available on the South Glos planning portal:

Go to https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/search-planning-applications/ and search for P21/06296/F

The 'Design Note' document seems to give a reasonable overview.

It looks to be pretty central - on what is currently a level crossing, just next to what was the grassed apron for light aircraft. Has Henbury been forgotten about?

In case there was any lingering doubt, the plan is for two stations - North Filton (Brabazon) and Henbury:

Source: Travelwest

And what is missing from the artists impression ?

North Filton and Henbury train stations

New train stations are proposed as part of MetroWest Phase 2 to serve Henbury and North Filton.

These new train stations will form part of the Henbury spur and a new hourly train service will run between Bristol Temple Meads and Henbury, calling at Ashley Down and North Filton.

The two new stations will provide access to train services for existing residents as well as linking in with major new developments taking place at Filton Airfield.

The next stage for these two stations is a planning application to receive consent from South Gloucestershire Council to build the scheme. Each station will have a separate planning application.

As Henbury station is being built within a flood zone, more time is needed to make sure our designs are suitable. As a result, North Filton planning application will be submitted first.

...continues, wth maps and images

Whoever did the graphics seems to have forgotten to make the corridor between the lift shafts three dimensional.

I looked at those other CGI pictures, in particular this one:

Will there still be a station near Henbury, or is this it?

Bristol Arena developer releases train station plans for Brabazon

YTL Developments is working with Network Rail on a detailed planning application which is expected to be submitted in August



The developer behind Bristol Arena has released computer-generated images of the train station it is planning to build as part of its huge scheme.

Malaysia-based YTL, which is constructing a vast neighbourhood on the former Filton Airfield to the north of the city, is proposing a new station at the site. The company is working with Network Rail on the plans.

The station at Brabazon – currently known as Filton North – will connect the new development and the arena to Bristol Temple Meads in less than 15 minutes once it is completed as part of MetroWest Phase 2, YTL has said.

There will also be a dedicated MetroBus route to the neighbourhood.

Network Rail will be submitting a detailed planning application for the station this month. YTL said it expected to begin construction in 2022, with the station then scheduled to be operational in 2023, if planning is approved.

The Bristol Arena is then scheduled to open its doors for the first time in 2024.

...continues, with more CGI images

Well it does say "Join the next generation in shaping the future".

Yes! Has no-one told them that for many people 'Brabazon' is synonymous with 'white elephant'? Maybe this development will be so successful that it will supplant that idea...

Just hope it is more successful than the Brabazon aircraft

GETTING FROM A-B IS EASY

Train or bus. Two feet or two wheels. Conveniently connected to the life and creativity of the city and to the warmth and comfort of your new community. Brabazon is Bristol’s best-connected new neighbourhood. You could walk or run to work anywhere within North Bristol’s technology cluster. You could cycle to the city centre. Or jump on the train to Temple Meads and be there within 15minutes. Take the new MetroBus route to reach both of Bristol’s leading universities, or to pop to the shops on Park Street. Heading to London? Paddington is just over an hour from Bristol Parkway. You couldn’t be better connected at The Hangar District.

TRAIN

Brabazon's brand new train station* will connect to Bristol Temple Meads in under 15mins.

Bristol Temple Meads to Bath Spa in under 15mins.

Bristol Parkway to Cardiff Central in under 35mins.

Bristol Parkway to London Paddington in under 75mins.

*Metrobus and train station arriving at Brabazon for 2023