Montpelier

From Bristol Railway Archive

To Narroways Hill: Montpelier Tunnel
To Avonmouth: Station Road

History

Opened on the 1st October 1874 as Montpellier (two 'L's). The station master was provided with a coalhouse in 1883 and an extra bedroom in 1887. In February 1888 the station's name changed to Montpelier (one 'L'). The Station Master's duties were withdrawn on 29th March 1926 and the post merged with the management of Clifton Down. The main station building was destroyed in an air raid on 16th March 1941. Closed to goods on 29th November 1965. The 16 lever Montpelier signal box closed on 10th May 1967 and the station became unstaffed on 17th July 1967.

1970s

A view from 1970. Single line working has just commenced, but lifting of the up line has yet to begin. © Andy Kirkham

A view of the station taken in 1970/1, just after track lifting had taken place. © Simon Whittingham

A similar view showing the footbridge and up station building. © Simon Whittingham

The station building on the up platform. © Simon Whittingham

2003

07.12.03

The western portal of Montpelier Tunnel.	Looking through the tunnel with the road bridge at Ashley Hill just visible in the distance.	A general view of the tunnel showing the houses built above it. The whole area is very residential.	Next to the tunnel portal is this rather unusual raised drainage cover.
Standing with my back to the tunnel looking west.	Further up the platform. The footbridge previously linked the two platforms as well as carrying a right of way between Cromwell Road and Station Road.	The footbridge viewed from the other side with Montpelier Tunnel in the background.	Looking across the footbridge towards the exit on Cromwell Road.
Standing at the top of the steps in the previous photo and back across the footbridge.	Standing on Cromwell Road and looking back towards the station.	This way to the trains... Standing on Cromwell Road.	Standing back on the footbridge and looking west towards Cheltenham Road Viaduct. At one time a line diverged at the spot of the communication tower and crossed over Station Road to a coal depot.
The platform side view of the brightly painted station building. This was a replacement for a building lost during bombing in WWII.	Another view of the platform side of the station building.	The down platform has recently been halved and these modern town houses built on the site of both it and the old goods yard.	A better look at the curve in the track and the long disused up platform. The signal protects Cheltenham Road Viaduct.
There are two exits from the station on the down platform. This rather nice modern one.	And this ramp that leads to the footbridge and Cromwell Road.	The station building as viewed from Station Road. Little changed since built, except for the windows in the roof.