Improving accessibility at Lawrence Hill station

Plans have been submitted to install a new lift at Lawrence Hill train station in Bristol to make it accessible to everyone. This would make the railway station, which first opened in 1863, step-free. 

The project is set to be funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. Network Rail submitted the plans to Bristol City Council in August 2025.

Subject to final business case approval in the autumn, the scheme will see a lift installed on platform 2 (the southbound platform heading towards Bristol Temple Meads) which currently only has steps. Platform 1 currently has step-free access through the Lidl car park. 

Lawrence Hill is on the Severn Beach Line and over 350,000 people use the station each year. Whilst the lift is being installed, the current steps on platform 2 will be demolished and a temporary footbridge from platform 1 will be installed. 

Improving accessibility at the station forms part of the wider £400 million rail upgrade across the West, creating new stations and increasing train services to better connect communities.   

People can review and comment on the planning application (25/13364/RA) via Bristol City Council’s planning portal.