A major milestone has been reached with the installation of the accessible footbridge at the new Bristol Brabazon railway station on the former Filton Airfield site.
A 750-tonne all-terrain mobile crane lifted into place the nine pieces that make up the staircases and bridge deck over the Bank Holiday weekend.
The structure of the two lift shafts was completed last month, and cladding will get under way now the stairs and deck are in place.
Platform construction at the station is in full swing, with the platform edge (coping stones), canopies, furniture, fencing and surfacing all going in over the coming weeks.
Bristol Brabazon station is due to open this autumn, bringing regular passenger services back to the Henbury line for the first time since 1964. It will serve the residents and visitors to Brabazon, the emerging new town on the former airfield. The stationwill then progress through a second phase of construction in readiness for the opening of the Aviva Arena in 2028.
It is being funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority with contributions from South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council, and Great Western Railway (GWR), with Network Rail as a key partner.
Henbury station is set to follow and this week the Mayoral Combined Authority announced that it has awarded the contract for the detailed design work to Network Rail, who also delivered the preceding design stages and the designs for Bristol Brabazon and AshleyDown stations.
Bristol Brabazon and Henbury stations will serve a wider area shortlisted to be one of the Government’s new towns and set to be covered by the region’s first Mayoral Development Zone – with 40,000 new homes possible over the long-term. Trains from Henbury and Bristol Brabazon will be able to travel to Portisheadvia Bristol Temple Meads, creating a valuable new cross-region link.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Last week, we showcased Bristol Brabazon station and the wider emerging new town to Chancellor Rachel Reeves and investors while announcing the region’s first Mayoral Development Zone. This week, it’s brilliant to see work continue on track for new stationson the Henbury Line.
“The new bridge was installed over the bank holiday at Bristol Brabazon, as we progress towards opening the station later this year – ahead of the Aviva Arena opening and more new homes being delivered. Our combined authority has also confirmed further investmentin developing plans for Henbury station, alongside continuing work to upgrade the track to help enable faster trains and more frequent services in the future.
“Our growing regional rail network, with more trains and more stations, is an important part of building a transport system that people across the West can trust. We’re using record transport funding from government to make a difference that residents cansee and feel, including these new stations.”
Network Rail Western route director Marcus Jones said:
“The installation of the accessible footbridge is a major milestone for Bristol Brabazon station and alongside the ongoing platform construction, marks significant and visible progress.
“Once complete, the new station will play a key role in connecting people to jobs, homes and opportunities, providing sustainable access to everything the wider region has to offer. We’re proud to be part of a project that supports both the growth of thisnew neighbourhood and stronger transport links across the West of England.”
South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for transport, Councillor Chris Willmore, said:
“The installation of the new footbridge marks a major step forward for the station and the wider rail network here in South Gloucestershire and across the West of England.
“Following the announcement of the station’s new name, significant progress has been made with construction. This new infrastructure will help improve accessibility, reconnect communities, and support the substantial growth planned for the area in the yearsahead.”
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council and Deputy Mayor of the West of England, said:
“It’s great to see the new accessible footbridge in place. When it opens, the new station will be a real boost for how people travel between the new Brabazon neighbourhood and Bristol, giving residents and visitors a rail link into the city and onwards acrossthe region.
“With thousands of new homes and a growing population in this area, it’s vital we make it easier to choose public transport from the outset. This station will support more sustainable journeys, help ease pressure on the road network, and provide a convenientway for people to get to major events at the Aviva Arena when it opens.”
YTL UK Group chief executive Colin Skellett said:
“The installation of the new footbridge at Bristol Brabazon station marks another significant step in the transformation of the former Filton Airfield into Brabazon, a thriving new town.
“High quality transport infrastructure and strong connectivity are fundamental to creating sustainable, well-connected communities, and this station will play a vital role in linking Brabazon to the wider region. With planning permission for 6,500 new homes,schools, office space, and a community centre, as well as work on the new 20,000-capacity Aviva Arena underway, momentum continues to build. This progress demonstrates our commitment to delivering a place where people can live, work and connect, supportedby the modern transport links essential for long-term growth and success.”
GWR’s Managing Director, Mark Hopwood, said:
“I’m delighted to see significant progress being made on Bristol Brabazon station, which once open will help to expand the services that we provide in this new community and across the region as a whole.
“This is in addition to the construction of new stations at Charfield, Henbury, Pill and Portishead, all of which will open up access to rail services across even more communities.”
More than £400 million is being invested in rail across the West of England. Two new stations (Portway Park & Ride and Ashley Down) have opened in recent years. Alongside Bristol Brabazon (autumn 2026) and Henbury (2028), three more new stations are set toopen at Charfield (spring 2027), Pill and Portishead (winter 2028/29).
