Work on the long-awaited Bristol & Portishead Line, closed in the 1960s, can begin this summer. Once opened, the line will help unlock an extra £43 million each year for the regional economy.
After years of delays, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is set to invest a further £27 million in the project – ensuring that it can go ahead. The Bristol & Portishead Line will cut travel times between Temple Meads and the North Somerset town in half, compared to driving, and is anticipated to see an additional 1.2 million rail journeys within 15 years of opening.
Business case development work for potential new railway stations including Ashton Gate, Saltford, and St Anne’s is also ready to begin as part of a new regional rail strategy to support the region’s Local Growth Plan.
Dan Norris, the Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Thanks to the deal I struck with the Rail Minister, residents can look forward to work getting back on track this summer to reopen the Bristol & Portishead Line.
“With another £27 million of funding from my Mayoral Combined Authority, we will be investing in jobs and growth, and creating opportunities for new homes for local people along the line that was dreamed up by Isambard Kingdom Brunel almost 200 years ago.
“Once trains are running again between Temple Meads and Portishead, journey times will have been halved and my reverse Beeching programme will have unlocked an extra £43 million a year for our regional economy. Full steam ahead!”
The Mayor has opened two new railway stations in less than two years, at Portway Park & Ride (2023) and Ashley Down (2024). Five new stations are set to open in the next two or three years: North Filton (2026); and Charfield, Henbury, Pill, and Portishead (2027/28). Last year, eight stations in the region benefitted from new and improved seating, shelters, and signs. Work continues to ensure that older stations, like Lawrence Hill, have step-free access with new lifts.
More than 3.4 million journeys – 27% higher than the previous year – were recorded in the 12 months following the introduction of half-hourly train services to and from Bristol Temple Meads in May 2023, delivered by GWR and Network Rail. Local passengers on the lines between Bristol and Gloucester (Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Parkway, and Yate) and Bristol and Westbury (Keynsham, Oldfield Park, Bath Spa, and Freshford) have enjoyed the additional services funded by a £7 million investment by the Mayoral Combined Authority. Updated journey statistics are due to be published in the coming weeks.
https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/