Plans to reopen the railway to Portishead near Bristol are going ahead. The scheme had been included in the Restoring Your Railway programme, but this was scrapped by the government in July 2024 on economic grounds.

West of England Combined Authority Mayor Dan Norris held new talks wtih rail minister Lord Hendy before the weekend, and the minister has now confirmed that the scheme has been revived. 

It is hoped that construction can begin this summer, and passengers could be travelling on the line again by the end of 2027.

The service was recommended for withdrawal in the 1963 Beeching report, and the last passenger trains ran to Portishead in September 1964, although the line continued to be used for freight until 1981. A spur to Royal Portbury Dock was built for freight in 2002, while the abandoned line to Portishead town still exists, although it has been blocked by at least one new road.

The council said bringing back the Portishead trains will mean that the travelling time into Bristol when compared with road will be cut by half. It has also estimated that car commuting will be reduced by 5.5 per cent, and that the line will help to achieve an estimated £43 million in economic growth each year.

Mayor Dan Norris said: ‘This is a massive moment for the West of England: one that generations have eagerly waited to see. This is great news for residents, businesses, and our environment, and a truly red-letter day for our fantastic region. The Bristol and Portishead line was a victim of historic rail cuts, but today, with a Labour government and a Labour mayor, we’re delivering the latest stage of my “reverse Beeching” plan. I’m delighted to confirm that this project is now finally steaming ahead.’

A further £30 million is needed, and this is set to be confirmed next month by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Committee. This includes a contribution from North Somerset Council.

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