FINAL enabling works are underway ahead of the re-opening of the railway in Portishead for the first time in 60 years.
Construction on new stations at Portishead and Pill is set to begin in the new year, with trains running to and from Bristol Temple Meads from 2028.
The multi-million-pound project was given the green light by the Department for Transport (DfT) in July with a funding boost of more than £47 million.
Beeching cuts in the 1960s saw an end to passenger journeys on the Portishead line, with the new hourly services to and from Bristol aimed at reducing congestion and cutting costs for commuters.
The new phase of preparatory works includes clearing vegetation and trees along sections of the disused line so construction can begin in early 2026.
Clearing the land will create the space needed to build temporary construction compounds, car parks, the two new stations, and the railway line itself.
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Councillor Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, said: “I know trains from Portishead have been a long time coming, which is why it’s great to be able to announce a start to works that will pave the way for construction in 2026. It is really happening.
“When journeys to Temple Meads make a return to train timetables, the reopened Portishead to Bristol line will transform our region as 50,000 people are connected back into the rail network.
“This makes the line more than just the new stations at Portishead and Pill, because when passengers finally pull into platforms at Temple Meads, they will also be able to enjoy all the benefits of onward travel.
“These are journeys that will unlock the West and the rest of the country, whilst also creating inward and outward investment that’s key to an estimated £43m of economic growth each year.
“As always, it’s joint effort and I’d like to thank the continued support of our partners at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Network Rail, Department for Transport and GWR.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, added: “With a new chapter under way here in the West, the final enabling works are underway to move towards building two new stations and reopening the Portishead railway line.
“Working with North Somerset Council, the government, Network Rail, and GWR, this investment in new stations at Pill and Portishead will cut congestion, give people a quicker, greener travel option, and unlock sites for much-needed new homes.
“We have secured a record £752 million from government for further transport improvements over the coming years, with an ambition for four trains per hour at stations across our growing regional rail network.”
MP Sadik Al-Hassan (Lab, North Somerset), said: “I know how important the reopening of these two stations in Pill and Portishead are to the residents of North Somerset, and the understandable scepticism following years of broken promises.
“The project has resembled more a rollercoaster than a train over the past decade, but the delivery of this long-awaited trainline shows what we can achieve working together. I can’t wait to take that first train, and I will keep pushing every step of the way to make sure delivery meets expectations.”
Marcus Jones, Network Rail western route director, said: “This week marks the start of our work to reopen the Portishead line as we begin clearing vegetation to allow for construction work to begin early next year. This project has been a long-standing ambition and we’re excited to now be at the delivery phase.
“Working closely with our partners at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, North Somerset Council and GWR, we’ll be delivering faster, greener travel options for communities that haven’t been directly on the railway network for more than 60 years, and opening doors to economic opportunities across the region.”
And Matt Barnes, Great Western Railway’s head of strategic service development, said: “It is exciting to see the start of these preparatory works – a major milestone in realising this long held ambition for train services between Bristol and Portishead as part of the wider Metro West programme.
“Great Western Railway is focused on working with our partners to help bring to fruition the reopening of this route for communities in the region.”
The clearance works, which begin in Portishead and continue to Pill, come after comprehensive ecological works which have helped protect wildlife and habitats. It will be closely monitored by qualified ecologists.
