A floating walkway that was originally conceived to take visitors from one of Bristol’s busiest railway stations to a major new music arena has finally opened, but the arena it was designed to connect to will now be built around six miles away.The Harbour Walkway, which stretches for 400 metres, was initially expected to cost around £2.5 million when it was proposed in 2015. Bristol City Council has ultimately spent £9.7 million on the project, according to SWNS.The walkway opened earlier this month and is now being positioned as part of the wider redevelopment around Bristol Temple Meads and the new University of Bristol campus.
From £2.5 million plan to £9.7 million project
The original idea was relatively straightforward: create a pedestrian and cycling route linking Temple Meads station with a planned 12,000-capacity Bristol Arena.But the arena project became embroiled in delays, rising costs and disagreements over its location. Plans for a venue at Temple Meads were eventually abandoned, with the proposed arena moved to the Filton airfield site.The new venue is planned to accommodate 17,000 people, but construction has yet to begin.By then, however, work on the Harbour Walkway was already progressing.The structure was built using floating pontoons manufactured in Spain, contributing to a project that eventually cost almost four times its original £2.5 million estimate.
What does the walkway connect now?
The 400-metre Harbour Walkway cost nearly four times its original estimate. (Photo: SWNS)
Instead of leading concert-goers directly to an arena, the walkway now links the new eastern entrance of Bristol Temple Meads with the University of Bristol’s new £500 million campus.It also connects pedestrians and cyclists to Valentine Bridge, providing a crossing point over the river.The walkway starts near the ferry stop between Valentine Bridge and Meads Reach Bridge, passes underneath the railway tracks and ends at Cattle Market Road.Bristol City Council says the project is intended to improve pedestrian and cycling connections as part of the wider Temple Quarter regeneration scheme.
‘£10 million is wild’: Social media reacts
The walkway now connects Bristol Temple Meads with the university’s £500 million campus. (Photo: SWNS)
The project’s final price tag has triggered plenty of criticism online, particularly because its original purpose was linked to an arena that is no longer being built at Temple Meads.One commenter described it as “one of the most ridiculous pieces of construction in Bristol and potentially British history”.Another questioned whether the money could instead have been spent repairing existing pavements and walkways.One social media user wrote, “10m? And it leads to an arena that doesn’t exist? Ok.”Another said the walkway looked like “a temporary structure” and questioned what problem it was intended to solve.The cost works out at roughly £24,250 per metre based on the £9.7 million figure and the walkway’s 400-metre length.
Not everyone thinks it is money wasted
The walkway has also received support from some residents.One commenter called it “lush”, while another welcomed the improved connectivity in the area.“Great to see South East Bristol getting better connected,” one person wrote.Another argued that £10 million could represent reasonable value for a public infrastructure project.The project is now part of the wider Temple Quarter regeneration, an extensive redevelopment programme involving new homes, public spaces, transport improvements and the University of Bristol’s new campus.
The arena that changed location
The arena moved to Filton, leaving the walkway with a different purpose. (Photo: SWNS)
The story of the walkway is closely linked to Bristol’s long-running arena plans.In 2012, the council proposed a £92.5 million arena at Temple Meads. Plans for a 12,000-capacity venue were approved in 2014, but the project subsequently faced delays and disputes.Former mayor Marvin Rees later began negotiations with Malaysian-owned construction company YTL to relocate the arena to Filton.The new 17,000-capacity venue was subsequently approved by Bristol City Council. Construction is yet to begin, although work on a railway station intended to serve the future arena is under way.Meanwhile, the Harbour Walkway, originally designed with the Temple Meads arena in mind, is now open and serving a different purpose as part of Bristol’s ongoing regeneration.
