Contractors get start date for new railway line

Major work to restore the railway between Portishead and Bristol, which was closed in 1964, will start in Spring 2026, funded by the Department for Transport, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and North Somerset Council. It will be delivered by Network Rail and Morgan Sindall with trains operated by GWR.

Artist's impression of Portishead station.

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.

The old track will be removed and the railway rebuilt.

Preparatory work began in Autumn 2025 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.” 

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.”