Bristol Temple Quarter took another major step forward today as partners from across the West came together to celebrate the opening of nationally significant infrastructure and innovation projects, thanks to over half a billion pounds of investment.
The joint opening of the University of Bristol’s Sloane Robinson Building, the new eastern entrance to Bristol Temple Meads railway station, and a new harbour walkway marks the most significant milestone for the Bristol Temple Quarter project so far.
Bristol Temple Quarter is one of the most ambitious urban regeneration programmes in the country, with plans for 10,000 new homes and 22,000 new jobs. Central to the vision for change are the revitalised Grade I-listed Bristol Temple Meads station, and the creation of the new £500m University of Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus (TQEC), of which the Sloane Robinson Building is the flagship development.
The University of Bristol’s £500m investment into TQEC, a nationally significant investment in the country’s fastest-growing regional economy, has been supported by a further £35 million from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA) for facilities at the campus, strengthening Bristol Temple Quarter’s position at the heart of the Central Bristol and Bath Growth Zone.
Coinciding with the University’s 150th anniversary, TQEC brings together world-leading education and research, industry tenants and civic organisations to innovate at scale. The campus is already driving the emergence of a West of England deep tech growth cluster focused on key strategic technologies, including quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, advanced connectivity, cyber security, semiconductors, and engineering biology.
Complementing investment in TQEC and the surrounding area is the revitalisation of the Grade I-listed Bristol Temple Meads station. The new Eastern Entrance — the first of three new entrances to be delivered — will open directly onto the new campus, dramatically improving connectivity between the city’s main station, the new future-focused innovation district, and communities in the east of the city. Network Rail anticipates that, by 2030, 2.5 million passengers will use the entrance each year.
Alongside the Sloane Robinson Building and eastern entrance, a new harbour walkway also opened today. The floating walkway will connect the new station entrance and UOB campus with Temple Quay and was supported by over £4m funding by WECA.
The openings are the culmination of over a decade of collaboration across the region and nationally as Bristol City Council, the WECA, Homes England, University of Bristol and Network Rail, and, since 2024, Bristol Temple Quarter LLP, work towards a shared vision for change.
£95m of government funding awarded in 2022 to Bristol Temple Quarter through WECA was essential to kickstart the programme and funded the delivery of the new entrance to Bristol Temple Meads station.
The new station entrances complement the growing regional rail network and will boost the connections between the region’s two cities and the West’s emerging new town, Brabazon & the West Innovation Arc. New stations and an enhanced Bristol Temple Meads will bring some of the most exciting developments in the country closer together, including tens of thousands of new homes and new jobs.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Our investment in Bristol Temple Quarter, including the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus and brand-new entrance for Brunel’s iconic railway station, will unlock a giant leap forward for the West of England.
“This major milestone here in the country’s fastest-growing regional economy will help pave the way for tens of thousands of new homes and new jobs.”
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:
“Bristol Temple Quarter shows what’s possible when national government, local leaders and partners work together to put transport at the heart of transforming a city for the people who live and work there.
“Backed by £95 million of government investment, this ambitious regeneration project is unlocking thousands of new homes and 22,000 new jobs across the region and today’s new entrance is an important step towards a dramatically improved station.
“This is a brilliant example of the growth and opportunity strong partnerships can deliver, and I look forward to seeing Bristol Temple Quarter continue to flourish in the years ahead.”
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said:
“This is not just an important day for the University of Bristol, this is an important day for the city of Bristol. We are delighted to open the doors to the Sloane Robinson Building as we mark our 150th anniversary and look towards the future.
“TQEC represents the next chapter in the transformation of Bristol and the West of England into a globally competitive innovation region, and a flagship example of how devolution can drive growth, inclusion and long-term prosperity.”
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader, Bristol City Council, said:
“The opening of the new Enterprise Campus, the eastern entrance to Bristol Temple Meads and the harbour walkway marks an important step in realising the vision for Bristol Temple Quarter. Together, these investments create stronger links between Temple Meads West and St Philip’s Marsh, helping to connect people with new opportunities for work, education, innovation and culture. They also demonstrate how thoughtful investment in infrastructure and public spaces can bring different parts of the city closer together and support sustainable growth.
“Bristol Temple Quarter is one of the most important regeneration projects in the UK. As new homes, jobs, businesses and public spaces are delivered over the coming years, these connections will play a key role in creating a thriving new city district and strengthening Bristol’s position as an economic and innovation powerhouse for the wider West of England.”
Lyn Garner, Chair, Bristol Temple Quarter LLP, said:
“We are delighted to celebrate the joint opening of these major projects at Bristol Temple Quarter. All three projects have been years in the making and were made possible through our long-term partnerships. Together with the new masterplan for St Philip’s Marsh, they will help to maximise the area’s potential for significant growth in new homes, digital innovation, and job opportunities.
Elsewhere, Bristol Temple Quarter continues to move at pace. Later this year, we will start on site on a modern new transport hub and another new entrance for Temple Meads station, and we will publish new development plans for the transformation of Temple Meads West with our partner, Muse.”
Amy Rees CB, Chief Executive of Homes England, said:
“Bristol Temple Quarter is one of the most ambitious regeneration programmes in the country, and reaching this milestone marks another important step towards creating the homes, jobs and opportunities this part of Bristol needs. The opening of the eastern entrance, the Sloane Robinson building and the new harbour walkway shows what can be achieved through strong partnership working and long-term investment.
“We are proud to work alongside Bristol City Council, the West of England Combined Authority, Bristol Temple Quarter LLP, the University of Bristol and Network Rail, and we look forward to continuing these partnerships as we move into the next phase of delivery.”
