Civils contractor Octavius Infrastructure is set to begin construction on a new train station in Charfield, South Gloucestershire, after the project received approval and £39.5m in funding from the West of England Combined Authority.
The station is expected to open by spring 2027, Construction News’ sister title New Civil Engineer reports.
The station design (CGI pictured) includes:
- north and southbound platforms, including seating and shelters
- a connecting pedestrian footbridge with stairs and lifts
- ticket machines and real-time information for passengers
- covered cycle parking
- a bus stop
- car parking (including disabled bays, electric vehicle charging points, and a taxi and waiting area)
- local highway improvements, including additional pedestrian crossings
Located centrally in Charfield, the station will offer hourly train services in both directions, providing residents with faster connections to key locations.
Travel times are projected to be 32 minutes to central Bristol, 18 minutes to stations in north Bristol and 22 minutes to Gloucester. This improved access is designed to benefit approximately 14,500 people living within a three-mile radius.
The infrastructure enhancements for walking and cycling are also designed to encourage sustainable travel.
Charfield has not had a functioning train station since services ceased in 1965 and, historically, public transport options have been limited.
Funding for the project is through a City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, a UK government initiative provided to and administered by the West of England Combined Authority. The capital funding is earmarked exclusively for sustainable transport infrastructure.
West of England mayor Helen Godwin said: “Delivering projects like Charfield station lays the foundations for a better transport system overall for the West of England, building the kind of regional railway network that other places take for granted.
“In the government’s recent Spending Review, we secured £752m for that next stage.
“That means that the West can get out of the slow lane on transport and start to catch up with other city regions with better buses, more trains and mass transit – with trams and much more on the table.”
South Gloucestershire’s council cabinet member for planning, regeneration and infrastructure, Chris Willmore, said: “The new station at Charfield will help local people connect without as much need to rely on their cars.
“It will improve the local and regional road network and give people the option of fast, clean travel to the heart of neighbouring towns and cities for work, education and leisure.
“We know this project has been a long time coming, and there will inevitably be some disruption while the work is carried out, but it’s an investment for the future of the village and the surrounding area, and we are so pleased to be getting on with delivering the infrastructure that people need.”