The case for the railway

 Existing railway line

 Population increase

The railway line still exists from Bristol to Portishead, and has been refurbished for freight use at a cost of £21 million, but it is only open as far as Royal Portbury Docks. The remaining 3.25 miles would need to be reinstated. Some land has been reserved by the council as possible use for a new station in Portishead and a car park has already been built adjacent to the Waitrose car park. It is currently used for the Harbourside surgery.

Portishead is one of the fastest growing towns in Europe, the population being expected to rise to 28,000 in coming years, an increase of over 350% from 1951 levels. The large number of new houses, with the planned new hotel and conference facility, office and light industrial operations is expected to add 2300 jobs to the existing local market. Most local businesses strongly support the reopening of the railway.

 Traffic congestion

Tourism

The A369 is Portishead’s main access route to Bristol and to the M5. Large numbers of local residents travel to work in Bristol and have to contend with the very busy junction 19 on the M5 and traffic to and from the Royal Portbury Docks. The area around this junction is an air pollution hotspot. Even small accidents on the Avonmouth bridge can cause major gridlock. See traffic flow figures. Some potential new employers are being put off moving to Portishead due to the transport problems. The recent £28m spent on M5 widening has not been very worthwhile. more..

The journey down the Avon Gorge could become a big tourist attraction in itself. Occasional steam specials are still run down as far as the Portbury docks and are very popular. Portishead has long been a magnet for Bristol people attracted by the Lake Grounds and fine coastal views. The new marina is going to draw even more visitors by road. How much better if they could arrive by train. Steamer services could be introduced from Portishead Pier to South Wales, the Holms, Minehead and Ilfracombe etc. In 2004, Thomas Cook the travel agents listed the Severn Beach line through the Gorge as one of the most scenic rail routes in Europe! See BBC web article. The Portishead branch would surely be even better! Tourist traffic could keep the line busy during off peak times.

 Park and Ride

 Rail links

A Park and Ride facility (i.e ride on the railway!) has been mooted by North Somerset Council by the railway at Portbury which could bring extra patronage to the railway from motorists from a wide area commuting into Bristol. A bus Park and Ride would be bad news as it would weaken the case for the railway. As mentioned above, a car park has already been built in Portishead, adjacent to the Waitrose car park, which is currently being used for the temporary Harbourside surgery. The surgery portacabins are close to where the station would be built.

The best business case can be made by integrating the Severn Beach and Portishead branches, linked at Temple Meads, to the benefit of both lines. The same rolling stock could then run continuously from Severn Beach to Portishead and back, enhancing transport for a large part of the Bristol area. Bristol has good rail links with the rest of the network, and the Portishead line would enable residents to gain easy access to the rest of the country, and open up new opportunities for tourists.

Congestion charging

Raised in Parliament

Congestion charging is being actively considered for Bristol. This surely requires attractive public transport alternatives to be provided. Reopening this railway is one of the most obvious and effective answers.

On 29 Jan 2005, Dr Liam Fox, MP, raised the question of the reopening of the Portishead to Bristol line in the House of Commons. He explained the transport problems in detail saying that we had ‘probably the most overcrowded cul-de-sac in Britain‘ and that 63% of Portishead’s adult population travelled out of town to work. See full text. Stephen Williams, MP for Bristol West, raised the question on 9 Nov 2006. He said “A new freight line has been built, at enormous expense to the taxpayer ...It could also be used to reopen the passenger line to Portishead”. See full text.

Funding

Government funding will be needed, which is the biggest hurdle, but the Government need to see that local councils and the local community is fully supportive. Re-opening of the railway is advocated by the 4 local councils in their Joint Local Transport Plan though not until after 2011.

Greater Western Franchise

Carbon Emissions

First Group were awarded the franchise covering the railways in the region, which started on April 1 2006, and is to run for 7 years. They said after winning the franchise that they were considering carrying out a feasibility study into the Portishead line. Previously their Managing Director said if the reinstatement cost “was £10 million it would be something we could look at." See Evening Post article 7 April 2005.

Railways are generally recognised as being a greener mode of transport resulting in lower carbon emissions. We can help to reduce Global Warming by making more use of rail as an alterative to car, bus and air transport. Trains are expected to remain the most carbon efficient mode of transport after cycling and walking. See Environment page.

A vision of the future

Click for a vision of the future . If you share our vision, would you like to help us?