Network Rail contractor BAM transforms green space for Bristol school children

(News release Network Rail:) A Bristol primary school has received support from BAM, the contractor building the new Ashley Down station, to create a new green outdoor space that pupils can enjoy.

BAM, Network Rail’s principal contractor on the new station scheme, worked closely with staff at the nearby Brunel Field Primary School, to renovate the outdoor space in the school grounds.

During the half-term holidays – 12 to 16 February – the BAM team invested 250 hours creating a green space for the children to enjoy, with a new planting area and a safer school pond.

The school is around 10 minutes’ walk from the new station at Ashley Down, where BAM is moving into the final phases of construction, working collaboratively alongside Bristol City Council’s contractor ETM who are working on the public land to tie into the station, and on reinstating Concorde Way. All parties are working towards opening the station later this year.

Renovations in the school’s grounds came about after an approach by the school staff and an initial meeting between BAM and the school site manager in October 2023.

BAM senior project manager, Richard Plain, said: ‘Our work at Ashley Down station was always going to bring us into close contact with the local community and I’m particularly proud of the efforts our team has made to enhance the outdoor space at Brunel Field Primary School. It’s a community project that the team will look back on with a great deal of pride and satisfaction.’

Emily Harrison, class teacher at the school, commented: ‘I just wanted to say what an amazing job BAM has done! The children and staff were so excited to see the transformation. It has made such an incredible difference to our outdoor space. Thank you all so much for your hard work in making such a brilliant outdoor space for our school community.’

This was echoed by the acting headteacher, Julie Waldren: ‘I want to say thank you as well. I spoke with the team this morning to let them know how great it looks. It has really enhanced the area.’

Network Rail programme manager, Dan Parkes, said: “The Ashley Down station construction is an incredible project and the local community have been brilliant as we’ve worked on the station over the past 18 months.

“I know that BAM has worked hard to keep disruption to a minimum throughout the station build and now, completing this project for the local primary school, is testament to their commitment to maintain a positive relationship in the area. The station will certainly be a lasting testament to their hard work here and we look forward to opening it later this year.”

The new Ashley Down station is part of the West of England Combined Authority’s MetroWest programme. The station is due to open later this year.

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