Residents of the West of England and beyond can now catch trains to and from the newly opened Ashley Down station, marking the first time since before astronauts walked on the moon that this has been possible.
On Friday, September 27, West of England Mayor Dan Norris, joined by schoolchildren and local scouts, celebrated the opening of the UK’s newest railway station. Ashley Down station is the second new station launched in the past year, following the opening of Portway Park & Ride. This development is part of a £300 million investment by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, in collaboration with GWR, Network Rail, and Bristol City Council, aimed at making rail travel more accessible.
During the opening, Mayor Norris expressed enthusiasm, stating, “If you give people easy access to good, reliable public transport, they will use it. Now, 15,000 people in Lockleaze, Horfield, and Ashley Down are closer to a railway station than they were yesterday. The new station looks fantastic, and I’m thrilled to have taken the first train to arrive there in 60 years. But this is only the beginning of our quiet rail revolution. Our Reverse Beeching programme is now in full swing, and we are moving on to plans for new stations in North Filton and Henbury next. Starting tomorrow, the public can use this station just in time for the Bristol Rovers match on Saturday and the cricket international on Sunday! Getting more people out of their cars and onto trains is essential for building the sustainable transport system we all want.”
The opening event was attended by several dignitaries, including Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Bristol North West MP Darren Jones, Lord Mayor of Bristol Councillor Andrew Varney, as well as representatives from GWR, Network Rail, subcontractors, the Severnside Rail Community Partnership, the Lockleaze Community Hub, Sustrans, and children from Ashley Down Primary School and the 1st Bristol Muslim Scouts group.
Tom Pierpoint, GWR’s Business Development Portfolio Director, emphasized the importance of new stations: “Stations like this are vital in bringing the railway closer to people as we become more mindful of living and traveling sustainably. Working successfully with our partners, we are thrilled to open this station, reconnecting this local community with the wider rail network for the first time in 60 years. We’re excited about the benefits this station will bring to the local economy, residents, businesses, and leisure travelers.”
Councillor Varney also shared his excitement, stating, “It’s fantastic to see a train station back on the map at Ashley Down. The community has long awaited the return of a local station, and I am thrilled it is now a reality. Its opening represents great partnership working to make it happen. From this moment on, Ashley Down station will link to the rest of the rail network and all onward travel across the region and country. As a keen cyclist, I am delighted that the Concorde Way walking and cycling route has reopened, providing a quick, off-road route to the new station and beyond.”
Marcus Jones, Network Rail Western route director, praised the efforts of all involved: “Today is a brilliant celebration of the hard work that went into building Ashley Down station and preparing it for public opening. I’d like to thank our contractor BAM and all those involved in the supply chain for achieving this milestone on time and on budget, with an impeccable safety record. I look forward to continuing this great work and leaving a lasting legacy for Bristol and beyond.”
During the event, guests unveiled a new artwork commissioned for Ashley Down station titled “PROGRESSION.” This community art project was created by members of the 1st Bristol Muslim Scouts and the Lockleaze Community Hub, led by local artist Aumairah Hassan with support from the Severnside Community Rail partnership.
The new station will open to the public on Saturday, September 28, with the first service departing at 07:33 to Filton Abbey Wood, providing timely access for fans attending the Bristol Rovers game nearby.
