In the northern reaches of Bristol, the tranquil suburb of Brentry is poised for a significant transformation with the impending construction of the YTL Arena, a venue projected to accommodate up to 19,000 visitors. The arena is set to be developed on the site of the Brabazon Hangar, a location that had been dormant since the closure of Filton Aerodrome in 2012, marking the end of decades of aviation activity in the area.
The ongoing preparations around the site have already altered the atmosphere of this formerly quiet neighbourhood. Construction traffic and machinery can be heard as local residents express their trepidation about the changes that the new arena may bring. “I suppose we’ve been used to this being a really quiet area, it’s lovely,” commented June, a resident of over 20 years. She added, “We really don’t know what it will bring, but it will bring something. It will be good for the area, but everyone I know around here is worried about the traffic and people filling the streets with parked cars. No one thinks the trains and buses will be able to cope with it all.”
While the final decision on the arena has seemingly been in limbo for about eight years, construction efforts are ramping up with the development of new housing estates in the vicinity. This shift from a quiet suburban community to being neighbours with a bustling cultural hub has raised concerns among local residents regarding the potential for increased traffic congestion and parking issues. Another resident, who chose to remain anonymous, noted their scepticism regarding the arena's construction timeline. “I think it’s been so long, we’ve given up thinking it’ll ever happen. Obviously if it does, then great – we’ll be able to walk to big events there,” they said, voicing their concerns over parking.
Local councillor Mark Weston has highlighted the need for proactive measures to address parking issues stemming from the arena’s operation. He urged Bristol City Council to conduct a parking survey prior to the arena’s opening, emphasising the importance of establishing a baseline for assessing any subsequent impacts on local roads. “If we don’t do the parking survey at some point, we’ll never get it done,” Weston stated. He underscored the necessity for plans to mitigate any exacerbation of parking woes, suggesting that YTL has committed to alleviating potential impacts.
The local council's historical challenges managing the flow of traffic and parking around major events within Bristol are cited as a concern, particularly in light of past experiences at venues such as Ashton Gate. There, officials had intended to implement a matchday parking system, but provisions to enforce this have reportedly failed to materialise in response to the stadium's increasing capacity and popularity.
In response to the growing anxiety around traffic and parking, Andrew Billingham, YTL Arena’s chief executive, acknowledged the community’s concerns, stating, “We understand the concerns raised regarding transport and parking as we progress with the development of YTL Arena. Our commitment is to ensure that concert-goers and visitors can travel to and from the arena efficiently while minimising any impact on neighbouring communities.” YTL has already allocated significant funding towards transport improvements as part of their planning obligations.
The arena is not without precedence; the site previously hosted concerts by the band Massive Attack in 2019, bringing thousands of attendees to the area without dedicated rail infrastructure. YTL's preparations aim to include sustainable transport options and strategies for managing the anticipated influx of visitors, aiming to create a world-class venue that is considerate of local residents' needs and concerns.
As the development progresses, Brentry's residents remain on edge, caught between the promise of enhanced local amenities and the potential upheaval that the YTL Arena may bring to their community.
Source: Noah Wire Services