The long-awaited reopening of the Portishead Railway may receive official government approval within days, according to West of England Metro Mayor Helen Godwin. Speaking on ITV’s West Country Debate on Thursday, June 19, Mayor Godwin expressed optimism about the project’s future: “We are hoping to get confirmation of that in the next few days,” she said. “As far as I know, yes.”
Preparatory work on the railway line has already been undertaken by North Somerset Council, but the government has yet to approve the full business case necessary for the project to proceed. North Somerset Council leader Mike Bell shares Mayor Godwin’s confidence, stating that approval is imminent.
The recent Chancellor’s spending review did not mention the Portishead Railway project specifically, but it allocated £31.5 billion to the Department for Transport, including £10.2 billion earmarked for rail projects. Mike Bell welcomed this investment, saying, “We are confident that it will support the Department for Transport’s imminent decision on the full business case for the Portishead to Bristol rail line.”
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Once operational, the project will feature new stations in Portishead and Pill, reconnecting these communities to Bristol Temple Meads for the first time since passenger services ceased in 1964. Although the line has been restored as far as Pill for freight use, further work is required to upgrade the track for passenger trains.
Bell emphasized the significance of the project’s progress: “The Portishead to Bristol line has been many years in the making. We’re nearing a milestone with the full business case decision, which will allow us to begin construction.”
He also extended gratitude to key stakeholders: “I’d like to thank our partners at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Network Rail, the Department for Transport, and our local MPs who have worked tirelessly alongside North Somerset Council to reach this point. We look forward to sharing more news soon.”
In addition to this project, the West of England Combined Authority has secured £752 million in transport funding for this parliamentary term, including £200 million for a mass transit system encompassing North Somerset. However, this funding is separate from the Portishead Railway budget.