News / Brabazon Hangar
‘South Bristol desperately needs arena project’
The debate over the long-awaited arena rages on, as south Bristol’s MP slams a proposal to move the project to the north of the city.
Karin Smyth says she is disappointed to hear the announcement from mayor Marvin Rees that Brabazon Hangar, on the former Filton Airfield, is officially being considered as an alternative location to the planned site by Temple Meads.
She has urged Labour colleagues not to waste any more time and money, but to find a way to deliver it in the city centre.
is needed now More than ever
Visual of how the arena could look by Temple Meads
Her criticism follows a 15 year build-up to the 12,000 capacity arena, which has long been earmarked for the land at Temple Meads, with an £11.3m bridge erected for the purpose, another footbridge under way and £9m of public funds already ploughed into the project.
Brabazon Hangar is now in the mix as a possible location for the arena
But Rees shook things up this week with the announcement that two options are now officially on the table, prompting Darren Jones, MP for Bristol North West, to lead calls for £50m investment around the proposed Filton site.
“For many years, we’ve been looking forward to welcoming a new arena to Bristol south and the potential it brings with it for jobs and apprenticeships, investment and the local economy,” said Smyth.
“Bristol south is home to some of the most deprived areas of the city and people desperately need decent job opportunities and apprenticeships – the proposed arena in my constituency offers this.
“I was very disappointed to learn that the council is considering moving the arena to the outskirts of the city.
“I appreciate the financial confines within which the council is working and understand the need to ensure value for money, but the south of the city needs this development.
“The wider economic benefits – including job and apprenticeship opportunities – and social value of keeping it within the city centre and accessible to people living in Bristol south must not be underestimated.
“Millions of pounds have already been spent on preparations for the arena in the city centre, and Bristol has already waited long enough for its own arena. I sincerely hope that we can find a way to keep the much-needed Bristol arena in the planned location and not waste any more time and money”.
The site at Temple Meads is primed and ready for the arena
The mayor has said that it is important to get the arena project right and to be absolutely certain about the cost and wider economic benefit before forging ahead with construction.
The latest report will be presented to cabinet at a meeting on Tuesday, January 23, with a final decision on location expected in April.
Read more: ‘We have to get Bristol Arena project right’
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