Work has begun on restoring passenger rail services between Portishead and Bristol, reopening a railway connection that has been closed to travellers for more than 60 years.
The £63m government-backed project will see the Portishead line reinstated and two new stations built at Portishead and Pill, reconnecting more than 50,000 people in North Somerset to the rail network.
Services are expected to begin in 2028, with passengers able to travel directly from Portishead to Bristol Temple Meads in around 25 minutes — significantly reducing journey times compared with peak-hour road travel.
The restored line will provide an hourly service between Portishead and Bristol Temple Meads, stopping at Pill, Parson Street and Bedminster. Officials say the scheme will improve access to jobs, housing and investment, while generating an estimated £43m in economic benefits for the region each year.
The project involves upgrading around 5.5 miles of existing freight railway, restoring a further three miles of former railway track and constructing the two new stations.
Portishead is currently one of the largest towns in England without its own railway station.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said the return of passenger services would create new opportunities for local communities.
“For the first time in more than 60 years, local communities are on track to regain access to the railway, opening up new and improved opportunities for jobs, growth and housing,” he said.
He added that the investment would help reconnect tens of thousands of people while strengthening transport links across North Somerset and the wider Bristol area.
The restored railway could later be extended to Bristol Brabazon, a major new development planned on the site of the former aircraft works, as well as the new Aviva Arena, providing easier access to entertainment and sporting events.
The service is being developed by Great Western Railway. The company’s passenger services are due to transfer into public ownership in December as part of the government’s plans for Great British Railways.
The government says the new structure will bring Britain’s railways under a single organisation, with the aim of reducing delays, improving reliability and creating a simpler experience for passengers. Photo by Greater Bristol Metro Rail, Wikimedia commons.
