Fears Bristol Arena will cause parking issues

A computer visualisation of the YTL arena site in Bristol. The arena is visible in the distance, and is a large curved silver building. In the foreground there is a large lake with fountains and there are people sat around the edges on benches and chairs. There are bars and restaurants, under high-rise buildings, with trees and flowers. Image source, YTL
Image caption,

The arena is expected to open in 2028 after years of delays

  • Published

A possible increase in capacity for the Bristol Arena has prompted concerns about parking problems in nearby neighbourhoods.

The arena, which is due to open in 2028 after delays, is set to be built by Malaysian firm YTL at the heart of its Brabazon development in Filton.

The firm recently announced plans to increase the arena's capacity from 17,000 to 19,500 - but this has caused concerns about transport.

YTL, which will have to secure planning permission to increase the capacity, says it will mitigate any potential problems.

The Filton arena was first announced in 2018 and its opening has already been delayed multiple times.

The plans include creating an outdoor cinema, ice rink and sports courts, as well as 6,500 homes across the wider site.

A new railway station is due to be built near to the arena, but its capacity and the frequency of trains may not be enough to accommodate all gig-goers.

YTL said an event parking scheme could be an option, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A visualisation of the centre of the YTL site. There are lots of high rise buildings of a distinctive visual style, and in the centre there is a shopping and hospitality district, with strings of lights running above. Image source, YTL
Image caption,

The arena in Filton was first announced in 2018

Councillor Mark Weston wants Bristol City Council to measure current parking levels to see if issues worsen.

"What I would hate for us to do is get the arena open and then go 'oh, we haven't monitored the parking'," he said.

"If we don't have a base to judge it against whether it's got worse, we're going to cause a problem.

"If we don't do the parking survey at some point, we'll never get it done."

Council officers said any future planning application from YTL would include assessing the transport impact on surrounding areas.

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