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Everyone is welcome to attend the events anytime between 3.30pm and 7.30pm, where members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions:
- Thursday 26 March, Somerset Hall, Portishead
- Tuesday 31 March, Community Centre, Pill
Invitations will be posted to residents near the railway in Portishead and Pill.
The restoration of the Portishead Line, which was closed in 1964, is funded by the Department for Transport, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and North Somerset Council. It will be delivered by Network Rail with trains operated by GWR.
With new stations at Portishead and Pill, the line will connect more than 50,000 people back to the railway and provide a greener and quicker alternative route to Bristol. It's set to unlock £43 million of growth for the local economy every year by connecting communities to jobs, skills and leisure across the region. Eight million car journeys could be removed from the roads by 2044 with an additional two million seats per year added to the rail network.
The restored railway will provide an hourly direct train from Portishead to Bristol Temple Meads in around 25 minutes. The route runs along one of the most scenic stretches of railway in the country, under the Clifton Suspension Bridge and through the Avon Gorge. The Portishead Line is planned to connect directly onto the Henbury Line via Bristol Temple Meads, connecting to two more new stations being built: North Filton, serving Brabazon and the arena, and Henbury.
Main construction is scheduled to begin in April when work compounds will be set up near Harbour Road in Portishead, Monmouth Road in Pill and off the A369 Portbury Hundred near Sheepway.
Preparatory work began last autumn to remove trees to create the space for site compounds, car parks, the two new stations at Portishead and Pill, and the railway line itself. Utility diversions are currently underway in Portishead, with some temporary traffic lights in use.
Extensive ecology work has taken place to ensure species living near the railway are protected, such as toads, reptiles, badgers and bats. Rare whitebeam trees have also been planted in the Avon Gorge.
Councillor Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, said: “Residents of Portishead and Pill have been asking for a reopened rail line for many years, so I’m delighted that we’re soon to start work and can now invite residents to find out more about the line and the opportunities it’s set to offer their communities.
“The reopened Portishead to Bristol Temple Meads line will provide connections into the national rail network which will enable significant investment into the area, helping local communities to thrive.
“This is a project that stands to be transformative for the region, so it’s full steam ahead with our partners at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Department for Transport, Network Rail and Great Western Railway.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “The return of the railway between Bristol and Portishead has been long promised. With all of us working together in this new chapter for the West, we’re finally going to deliver it – cutting travel times in half for local people, helping unlock sites for new homes, and boosting the country’s fastest growing regional economy.
“Our new Transport Vision has rail at its heart, including new stations at Pill and Portishead, with wider ambitions for more frequent services and low-emission trains as part of a transport network you can trust. Trains on the Portishead Line will directly travel onto the Henbury Line at Temple Meads, helping connect communities across the West to the new Aviva Arena at Brabazon, Bristol, and North Somerset.”
Lord Hendy, Rail Minister, said: “Reopening the Portishead to Bristol line has been talked about for decades, and thanks to Government investment we’re finally getting it done.
“Previously cut off passengers will have a rail service for the first time in over 60 years opening up new opportunities and supporting jobs, economic growth, and communities in Portishead, Pill and the surrounding area.”
Marcus Jones, Network Rail Western Route Director, said: “After years of hard work by so many people, we’re almost ready to begin bringing the railway back to life. The railway will transform travel in the region and we're looking forward to welcoming everyone to come and learn about our plans.”
Joe Graham, GWR’s business assurance and property director, said: “We’re delighted that work is set to start this spring on restoring the rail link for trains to run between Portishead and Bristol.
“These aren’t just new train services – they’re vital economic lifelines reconnecting communities and businesses across the region. This project validates our belief that reliable rail services are essential for local and national growth.
“We’ve worked closely with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, North Somerset Council and Network Rail to reach this stage and look forward to operating train services for Pill and Portishead."
Sadik Al-Hassan, MP for North Somerset, said: "I'm incredibly excited about the work Network Rail, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, North Somerset Council and I have done to organise these events for residents in Pill and Portishead.
“We'll be sharing details of the new railway and the progress we're making to deliver them. My special thanks to Mayor Helen Godwin and Councillor Mike Bell for their support in getting this project off the ground.”