- work has started to restore passenger rail services between
Portishead and Bristol for the first time in 60 years by
reinstating the Portishead line and building 2 brand-new stations
- backed by £63 million of government investment, the
Portishead line project will reconnect more than 50,000 people to
the railway and provide faster journeys to Bristol Temple Meads,
taking around 25 minutes
- transformative project will be delivered under Great British
Railways' mission to provide simpler, more reliable journeys for
passengers
More than 50,000 people in North Somerset are a step closer to
getting train services back after more than 60 years, as work
begins to restore the railway line to Portishead.
The government has invested over £63 million to reconnect
Portishead and Pill to the railway network, making journeys
quicker, easier and more reliable while supporting jobs, housing
and investment across the region.
With services due to begin in 2028, passengers will be able to
travel directly between Portishead and Bristol Temple Meads in
around 25 minutes less than half the time journeys can take by
car during rush hour traffic.
The line will provide an hourly service between Portishead and
Bristol Temple Meads, calling at Pill, Parson Street and
Bedminster, improving connections, unlocking housing and
employment opportunities and creating an estimated £43 million of
economic growth for the region each year.
In time, the restored railway line will eventually connect
through to Bristol Brabazon one of the UK's largest new
communities and the new Aviva Arena, giving residents and
visitors fast, easy access to the region's biggest music, sport
and entertainment events.
Rail Minister Lord said:
For the first time in more than 60 years, local communities are
on track to regain access to the railway, opening up new and
improved opportunities for jobs, growth and housing.
Our investment of more than £63 million will help reconnect over
50,000 people to the rail network and deliver faster journeys to
and from Bristol.
By restoring this line, we're improving everyday journeys,
strengthening local transport links and helping unlock the
economic potential of North Somerset and the wider region.
The scheme will upgrade 5.5 miles of existing freight railway,
restore 3 miles of former railway, and deliver 2 brand new
stations at Pill and Portishead marking an important milestone,
as Portishead is currently one of the largest towns in England
without a railway station.
Train services on the Portishead line are being developed by
Great Western Railway (GWR). Services run by GWR will be brought into public
ownership in December this year and will ultimately form part of Great
British Railways(GBR).
GBR will end years of
fragmentation, with a single body focused on passenger interest,
meaning fewer delays, a better experience and a timetable that
serves their needs.
Western Route Strategy Director, Network Rail and Great Western,
Joanna Grew said:
Seeing this project taking shape is a proud moment for everyone
involved and for the 50,000 people who will be reconnected to the
rail network for the first time in decades. This is about more
than track and trains; it's about unlocking access to jobs,
education and opportunity and providing a real economic catalyst
for the wider region.
In time, this line will connect through to Bristol Brabazon and
the new Aviva Arena, creating sustainable links that will serve
residents and visitors for generations.
Working alongside the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority,
North Somerset Council and the Department for Transport, today's
progress is proof of what strong partnership can deliver.
The government's investment is part of a £197 million funding
package agreed with project partners, the West of England
Combined Authority and North Somerset Council.
, Mayor of the West of
England, said:
This is a landmark moment, and it is fantastic to see work
finally beginning on stations that people in Portishead and Pill
have campaigned incredibly hard for.
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, North Somerset
Council and our industry partners are delivering these
long-awaited stations, laying the foundations for a stronger and
more connected rail network.
The west is moving out of the slow lane, and it is great that
Rail Minister could join us today to see
firsthand how we are improving transport across our region. I
look forward to hopefully welcoming him back as one of the first
passengers when services begin in 2028!
Councillor , Leader of North Somerset Council
said:
Residents have been calling for the reopening of railway stations
at Portishead and Pill for generations, so I am pleased to now
put spades in the ground.
The reopened railway will unlock transport across the west and
the rest of the country, whilst also creating an estimated £43
million of economic growth each year.
I'd like to thank and the UK government for their
continued support for this project and our local partners,
including Mayor , for helping to create the
opportunity it brings to the people of North Somerset, Bristol
and beyond.
