Work has begun to prepare the former diesel depot site by Temple Meads, paving the way for the mixed-use development which may include an Arena for Bristol.

Contractors are beginning a six-month programme of clean up work on the nine-acre site by Temple Meads station. It is hoped that this will be followed by 12 months of infrastructure works, which include a new road bridge linking to Cattle Market Road. Drainage and essential services such as water and power will also be installed to prepare for the site for development.

The £4.2 million clean-up works are being paid for through an investment by the South West of England Regional Development Agency. Part of the funding - £1.5 million - has been secured by the Agency through a European Union Objective 2 grant, which targets deprived areas.

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Together with the £14.2 million for the infrastructure works from the South West RDA announced earlier this year, this combined funding of £18.4 million represents a major part of the public sector finance being invested in the project. Over the past few months, complex negotiations have been taking place between the South West RDA, Bristol City and developer Bristol Waterside Arena (BWA) to agree the proposed planning and transport arrangements and complete the funding package for the development of the project.

Ian Knight, Area Director of the South West RDA, said: "This is another step forward in the development of the mixed-use site. We still fully support the concept of incorporating an arena on this Temple Quarter site and have done a great deal of work with our partners over the past few months to determine whether this will be achievable. We have made significant progress but there are still a number of hurdles to overcome, not least agreeing the right funding package."

The South West RDA will be seeking planning consent before work starts on the infrastructure for the site.

The partners will give a further update on progress with the project at the end of the year.

(JM)