The new railway station being built in North Filton has today been officially named: Bristol Brabazon.
The new station is one of five already coming down the track in the West. It is set to serve the new Aviva Arena at YTL Live as well as the surrounding West Innovation Arc Growth Zone, including Brabazon and some of the region’s world-leading engineering and technology companies. This area is the fastest growing part of the country’s fastest growing region economy.
This new station on the Henbury Line is one of five already in the pipeline for the region’s growing rail network. Work is already well underway on site by contractors BAM Nuttall, with track and the first platform blocks installed over Christmas. When complete, Bristol Brabazon will see the first regular passenger services on the Henbury Line since 1964. A second construction phase will then follow to increase the capacity of the station to support the 20,000-capacity Aviva Arena being built, which will be the third largest in the country when it opens in 2028.
Local residents are invited to attend a drop-in session on Wednesday 1 April at the Spitfire Hangar any time between 4pm and 7pm, where members of the project team will be available to answer questions about the circa £50 million investment in both phases of new station and the station building. In Pill and Portishead, people have been invited to attend events later this month to find out more about the restoration of the Portishead Line, ahead of construction working starting this spring. The Portishead Line will connect directly onto the Henbury Line via Bristol Temple Meads.
The Mayor and council leaders set out an ambition last month to secure private investment to help deliver a transport network that you can trust – with rail a major part of that new transport vision for the future, both in terms of new stations and improved frequency.
Project partners are working collaboratively to ensure that infrastructure improvements are fully funded and delivered. YTL UK Group has already invested more than £16 million in this area through contributions via South Gloucestershire Council and direct delivery on site, with a further £40 million planned over the next decade, to help ensure that Brabazon is one of the best connected new towns in the country. Local transport network improvements on and around the historic former Filton Airfield will include the new railway station, Metrobus routes, dedicated cycle paths, and improvements to signalling and junctions across the major road network.
Further private investment would add to the more than £400 million already being invested in rail by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Department for Transport, North Somerset Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council, and partners including Network Rail and Great Western Railway. In October, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer highlighted almost £40 million of investment from the regional authority towards Bristol Brabazon and Henbury.
Plans have already been approved for three new schools, a new park, and 6,500 new homes – and the site has been shortlisted to be one of the Government’s new towns. More than 500 residents have already moved in at Brabazon, with many of the new homes already inhabited and Bristol Brabazon station due to open in the autumn.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Bristol Brabazon station is being built at the heart of the fastest growing part of the country’s fastest growing regional economy, with work also underway to progress new stations for Charfield, Portishead, Pill, and Henbury.
“A record three-quarters of a billion pounds already secured from government will make it easier for everyone to get around the West, with a shared ambition to also increase the frequency of train services across our growing regional rail network.
“With the new Aviva Arena and the surrounding West Innovation Arc Growth Zone set to be served by Bristol Brabazon, our investment with partners in this new station will be part of a real difference to life in our part of the world.”
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said:
“Bristol Brabazon station will help drive economic growth in the West of England, unlocking new homes, creating jobs and supporting prosperity across the region.
“To enable this, the Department is supporting the future introduction of train services to Brabazon under Great British Railways.”
YTL UK Group Chief Executive Colin Skellett said:
“Bristol Brabazon Station will play a pivotal role in supporting economic growth across the West of England, enabling new homes, creating jobs and contributing to long‑term regional prosperity. The station will serve everyone living, working and visiting Brabazon – whether they are heading to Aviva Arena, enjoying the new park, or meeting friends in the emerging town centre.
“It is a critical part of the transport network that connects Brabazon with Bristol and the wider region, and it has been made possible through strong partnership working and close collaboration between all the organisations involved.”
Network Rail’s Western Route Managing Director Marcus Jones said:
“It’s an exciting time for rail in the West of England and we’re delighted to be working closely alongside our partners to deliver the biggest rail regeneration for the region in decades, with more stations, more services and improvements across the railway.
“In addition to the ongoing work to open Bristol Brabazon station, our teams are preparing to begin construction work on two new stations at Portishead and Pill. These projects will see the return of regular passenger services on both the Henbury and Portishead lines for the first time in more than sixty years, greatly improving connectivity for residents and local businesses.”
Councillor Chris Willmore, South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure, said:
“It will be a special moment to see the first train pull into the new Bristol Brabazon station here in South Gloucestershire and to welcome regular services back to the Henbury Line after so many decades. We are passionate about improving access to sustainable transport options for our residents and growing communities, ensuring they are well connected to work, leisure and essential services. It is really important to remember the heritage of the site, and I am delighted the new name of the station will help to do that for future generations. Thank you to all our partners for their work to help bring this significant investment to South Gloucestershire and I encourage everyone to join the dropin sessions and community events, ask questions, share their thoughts, and see for themselves how the new station will help connect and strengthen our neighbourhoods.”
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:
“Choosing the name Bristol Brabazon is a positive step that makes this important new railway station feel closer to becoming a reality. It reflects both the heritage of this part of north Bristol and the huge potential it has for the future. The new station will play a vital role in unlocking homes, jobs and opportunities for local people. It’s a great example of what our regional partnership can achieve by working together, securing investment that supports new housing, regenerating our communities, and strengthening the local economy. I’m pleased to see real progress being made on site, and I look forward to the benefits this project will bring for residents across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and the wider region.”
GWR Business Assurance Director Joe Graham said:
“We’re delighted this important project is progressing, which represents a major step forward in reconnecting this area by rail.
“These aren’t just trains – they’re a vital economic catalyst connecting communities and businesses across the region. This project validates our belief that reliable rail services are essential for local and national growth.
“The station will serve the substantial Brabazon housing development and provide direct access to the new Aviva Arena, creating sustainable links for thousands of residents and visitors.”
“We’ve worked closely with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, South Gloucestershire Council and Network Rail to reach this stage and are looking forward to operating train services from this new station in due course.”
Richard Prime, BAM Managing Director – Transport, said:
“BAM is proud to be delivering Bristol Brabazon Station on behalf of Network Rail and The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. This project will play an important role in connecting this new neighbourhood to the wider region. Our team is focused on building a high-quality, modern station that is accessible, sustainable, and designed to support the growing community at Brabazon. As construction progresses, we’re working closely with our project partners and local suppliers to ensure the project creates opportunities for local people while delivering the infrastructure needed for thousands of future residents and jobs, putting passenger experience at the forefront.”
Claire Hazelgrove, MP for the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency, said:
“‘Bristol Brabazon’ is a fitting name for our community’s new train station, as it not only pays tribute to our proud aerospace heritage and leadership today, but also welcomes our new town.
“This new station will be vital locally for everyone living, working and visiting Brabazon – be that for the Aviva Arena, to meet friends at Mokoko Bakery, or for a walk around the new green spaces and lake that will be part of our new local town.
“I know the train station also be well used by those working in our nearby businesses, hopefully giving more people confidence to leave their car at home, too.
“I’ve long said – including in my very first question in Parliament – that it’s crucial we have the infrastructure we need as our community grows, and I was glad to help break ground on this station last year. Thank you to everyone involved in helping make this a reality.”
Darren Jones MP, the Member of Parliament for Bristol North West, said:
“Before the final decision was even made to build the new arena just north of my constituency, I have pushed for good public transport links. The new train stations at Ashley Down and Henbury (due to open in 2028) will have direct links to the new Bristol Brabazon station. And, as I first proposed in my North Bristol Transport Plan, back in 2019, the new Portway Park & Ride station will be a fantastic transport hub, connecting everyone along the Severn Beach line to the arena via a shuttle bus.”
The new name was announced today at Bristol Brabazon, with a promotional station-sign-style board. Two new stations have already been opened in the West of England in recent years: Portway Park & Ride and Ashley Down.
