- Transport Secretary opens Bristol’s first new railway station
in almost a century
- new station will support local growth and improve access to
jobs and businesses
- demonstrates government’s commitment to investing in
infrastructure to grow the economy and boost connectivity in the
South West
Passengers in Bristol will benefit from easier access to jobs and
businesses as Transport Secretary officially opens a new railway
station near Avonmouth today (31 July 2023).
The multi-million-pound Portway Park and Ride station, backed by
both government and local authority funding, will be the first
station to open in Bristol in almost a century.
As of tomorrow, regular services will run from the accessible,
single-platform station 7 days a week along the Severn Beach
railway line, taking passengers into the city centre of Bristol
in just 24 minutes.
Transport Secretary said:
Today’s opening of Portway Park and Ride Station is the latest
example of this government’s plan to invest in infrastructure and
grow the economy.
It will provide a boost to Bristol and its surrounding area by
improving local transport links while connecting passengers to
business hubs and thousands of high-skilled job opportunities.
Managed by Great Western Railway (GWR), the new station will ease
congestion on local roads and provide an additional transport
option for the 9,000 people who work in the surrounding area.
It will also support local growth by improving access to the
Avonmouth and Temple Quarter Enterprise Zones, which are expected
to create 31,000 new jobs by 2050.
Marvin Rees Mayor of Bristol said:
I am incredibly proud and delighted to open Bristol’s first
railway station in 96 years. Portway Park and Ride station will
offer local people and commuters an efficient and sustainable
travel option. Having boosted the number of free parking spaces
at our park and ride site, it offers commuters more options to
park up and catch a train or the bus.
Completion of the railway station highlights our commitment to
developing modern and accessible travel solutions. As we look
toward a future of improved connectivity through a mass transit
system, Portway Park and Ride is a key step on our journey
towards a better connected Bristol and South West.
We are grateful for the support and collaboration of our project
partners and eagerly anticipate the positive impact this station
will have on our city.
Portway Park and Ride Station marks Britain’s 2,577th railway
station and follows closely on the heels of the opening of Marsh Barton
station in the South West earlier this month, also opened by
the Transport Secretary. The opening forms the latest in the
government’s drive to invest in infrastructure to grow the
economy and boost connectivity across the UK.
, Network Rail Western Route
Director, said:
This announcement marks an important milestone in our efforts to
transform rail travel for our passengers in and around Bristol
and the wider West of England area.
I’d like to thank our partners in the project – Bristol City
Council, the West of England Combined Authority
and GWR –
for their hard work and dedication in bringing this new station
to the city. We hope that passengers from Bristol and beyond will
experience the benefits that this new station will bring for
years to come.
Metro Mayor said:
Passengers are pleased that the new Portway Park and Ride Railway
Station is opening – the first new station built in this
incredible city since the Roaring 20s.
Delivering for local people is what our multi-million-pound
Reverse Beeching programme is all about.
This is undoubtedly a good day for Bristolians and the West of
England region, and I’m proud it’s been made possible by a
substantial £3 million-plus investment from my West of England
Mayoral Combined Authority.
But this is just the beginning. We need to press ahead with work
to give even more residents access to new stations as we strive
to meet our ambitious West of England net-zero-by-2030 targets.
Joe Graham, Business Assurance and Strategy Director at
Great Western Railway, said:
We are delighted that services will be operating from the
new Portway Park and Ride station. It will offer customers
regular trains to and from Bristol Temple Meads twice an hour
with a journey time of 25 minutes.
Situated alongside the M5, this new station will provide a great
alternative for those travelling into Bristol city centre or
wanting to connect with the wider rail network.
