Bristol Temple Meads Station Main Entrance
Bristol Temple Meads railway station is set to get a £10.2m upgrade.
The station will be completely rewired, with new heating, cooling and ventilation systems also installed and an upgrade to the lighting.
It is hoped the work will make the Grade I-listed station more energy efficient and "a brighter, greener environment".
Maxine Prydderch, Network Rail project manager, said passengers will benefit as more shops could be opened.
The Bristol Rail Regeneration programme will see Network Rail rewire Temple Meads station, lay new tracks and restore the roof (Network Rail)
"It's really exciting to see further investment being made at Bristol Temple Meads station," Ms Prydderch added.
"As well as modernising the station's electrical system, the rewire will also benefit passengers as it may allow for potential future expansion of retail units within the station itself, in turn generating further jobs."
Plans are also under way for further "platform enhancements" including new customer information screens, upgraded public announcement systems, additional CCTV and the introduction of a free WiFi network for passengers to use throughout the station.
The Victorian main train shed roof and platform canopies
are also due to be restored (Network Rail)
The upgrade is being carried out in support of a wider Bristol rail regeneration programme which started earlier this year.
SSE Enterprise Contracting will be delivering the work and will use local labour, supply chains and businesses. including their own rail team SSE Enterprise Rail who have been awarded their single largest contract to date by Network Rail to deliver key improvement works to Bristol Temple Meads station as part of the Bristol Rail Regeneration Programme.
The three-year project covers a broad mix of challenging works including the rewiring of the station, renewal of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems as well as the upgrade of the traditional lighting to modern LED equivalents, meaning the station will be one of the most energy efficient in the country.
Allan Walker, Route Delivery Manager at SSE Enterprise Contracting said: “We are delighted to be part of a project as prestigious as Bristol Temple Meads station, affording SSE Enterprise Contracting the opportunity to develop and invest in the local community whilst delivering the project on behalf of one of our longest standing clients within Network Rail Western.”
Work on the rewire is set to start in October and expected to be completed in 2023, alongside the restoration of the Victorian main train shed roof and platform canopies.