Work to unlock a development site that has been earmarked for Bristol's Arena project is about to start.

Communities Minister and Bristol West MP Stephen Williams joined partners at the Diesel Depot site beside Temple Meads station today to mark the start of infrastructure work which will unlock the site for major development.

The £11.5 million project commissioned by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) will see a new two lane bridge installed over the River Avon to improve links with the station and the rest of the city. Work is also underway to enhance the bridge by creating a green corridor using trees and other climbing plants across its structure and along pedestrian routes.

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This represents the first physical step in supporting Bristol City Council and the West of England LEP's ambitions to bring a 12,000-capacity Arena to Bristol, which would be based on part of the Diesel Depot site. It happened as the government today awarded £6 million to Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone to enable the redevelopment of additional underused and derelict land and encourage businesses to open in the area.

It happens on the same day the government announced a £6 million investment in Bristol's enterprise zone, to support further development and attract new businesses.

Speaking as work started on site today, Mr Williams said: "Bristol city centre has already been transformed through the government and local enterprise zone’s support for the area, with rundown buildings redeveloped and turned into thriving businesses.

"Part of the ongoing transformation of the city centre is the planned building of Bristol Arena, giving the city its first world class entertainment venue, supported by the council, enterprise partnership and government. The work on this new bridge over the Avon will vastly improve access to the Arena, and I’m very proud to take the first step towards its construction, albeit a very small one!"

(CD/IT)