The future ...?

If the railway were to be reopened, here are some thoughts on what life could be like....

• It would not just be Portishead people who would benefit - people from Portbury, Pill, and Easton in Gordano would be able to travel to Bristol by train.

• People living in Abbots Leigh would suffer less traffic through their village

• Football supporters could once again travel to Bristol City’s ground from around the rail network, using the Ashton Gate platform, reducing the severe traffic problems on match days.

• Even residents of Clevedon would benefit - they could drive to Portishead on the B3124, and park at Portishead station.

• The Broadmead shopping centre is undergoing a major re-development, but will there be enough parking? How much better if a lot of North Somerset people could travel by train.

• Congestion charges are likely to be introduced in Bristol. This would improve the logic still further.

• If the Portishead line were to be linked through to the Severn Beach line as proposed, both lines would benefit.

• Bristol residents would gain by the reopening- there would be less North Somerset people clogging up Bristol’s streets!

• Tourists would be attracted by the superb route through the Avon Gorge, thus improving the line’s finances.

• The Portishead line could join a string of local transport attractions such as Brunel’s SS Great Britain, his Clifton Suspension Bridge under which the line runs, and the Clifton Rocks Railway which ran inside the rocks adjacent to the bridge, and which hopefully one day will be reopened.

• Some day-visitors to the Lake Grounds, Marina etc. would come by train thus reducing parking problems in Portishead.

• Occasional steam specials could be run down the Avon Gorge right to Portishead linking with steamers from Portishead Pier sailing down the Bristol Channel.

If you agree this sounds like a better future, please support our campaign. How can you help?