Portishead Railway Group

23 June, 2006

Visit of Chris Grayling, Shadow Transport Minister to Portishead

Chris Grayling was brought to Portishead by Liam Fox, MP for Woodspring to acquaint him with the absurd situation regarding the stubborn reluctance of GOSW/Central Government to seriously consider reopening the Portishead Line.

Present at the gathering in the “Kiss & Ride” car park were Local and District councillors of various political persuasions and members of Portishead Railway Group. Using a map of the local area, PRG chairman Alan Matthews gave the shadow minister an overview of the situation including the “official” arguments against reopening the line. Councillors voiced their frustrations and were critical of the GBSTS report which was finally published a few days ago and which proposed a £110M new bridge over the River Avon as the solution to Portishead’s transport problems with showcase buses being the short to medium term solution.

The shadow minister asked about commuter levels and employment opportunities and expressed the view that since the cost of reopening was clearly well under that of constructing a new bridge it ought to be on the short-term job list as the benefits would be quickly delivered. He agreed with Liam Fox that it is rare to have a solution to a transport problem so readily available and was equally astounded that there was no will to act. Chris Grayling said he had been pleased to meet those present and expressed his sympathy to all who had to suffer as a result of the situation.

Present:

Cllr D.Miers Chmn of Portishead & North Weston Town Council (P&NWTC)

Cllr D.Bickley Chmn of Gordano Councils Transport Group, P&NWTC

Cllr JH Clark Dist. Cllr, & P&NWTC

Cllr S.Mason P&NWTC

Cllr B Walters Dist Cllr, & P&NWTC

Cllr N Ashton Dist Cllr, & Gordano

Cllr H Roberts Dist Cllr, & Wraxall & Long Ashton

Cllr P Burden Dist Cllr, & Backwell

A.Matthews, J.Rickard, R.Ball, P.Gregory - Portishead Railway Group