Current situation
- Re-opening is planned as a key part (Phase 1B) of the MetroWest project which will link and upgrade the railway system in the Bristol area, providing an initial frequency service to Portishead (1 train per hour).
- The project is considered to be a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, so requires a Development Consent Order (DCO) so as to attain the planning powers to build and operate the project.
- The DCO was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate on 15 November 2019. This was a major milestone.
- The DCO main Examination stage was completed on 19 April 2021 and on 19 July 2021 the Planning Inspectorate sent a report on its findings to the Secretary of State.
- The Secretary of State for Transport was due to make a decision on the DCO by 19 October 2021, but delayed it until 19 April 2022, then delayed it again until 2023.
- On 4 July 2022 North Somerset Council said that it and WECA were seeking to commit an additional £10m each to the project, and were asking the DfT to close the remaining £15.5m funding gap.
- On 27 July 2022 North Somerset Council announced that the Department for Transport had committed the additional £15.5m required to fill the funding gap.
- On 14 November 2022, the Secretary of State for Transport granted development consent and approved the DCO. This will allow the detailed design work to be done and completed during 2023 (GRIP 5). Dept for Transport statement >>
- Network Rail appointed VolkerFitzpatrick as the primary contractor for the programme in Feb 2023 covering detailed design, plus ground and ecology surveys.
- October 2023: Extensive ecology enabling works have taken place through the year and detail design (GRIP 5) has progressed significantly. See MetroWest news Oct 2023 …
- January 2024: Detail design work (GRIP 5) is mostly nearing completion. Platforms have been designed to take 5-coach trains. Planning permission has been submitted for some early works.
- March 2024: A new planning application includes a revised design for Portishead station, and one for Pill station (April 2024). Details …
- Submission of the Full Business Case to DfT was expected to have take place by now but the calling of the General Election has caused a slippage, as DfT are unable to progress the matter.
- July 2024:
The Chancellor announced that the ‘Restoring your Railways’ fund was cancelled. See North Somerset Council statement and PRG comment – News 29 July 2024
- September 2024:
The project is not cancelled, but will be subject to a review by the Government.
PRG organised a petition which was passed to Sadik Al-Hassan, MP for North Somerset who presented it to the House of Commons.
- December 2024:
The Treasury spending review, of which the Portishead & Pill line reopening is one small part, is still under way and will continue until March or April next year. See News Dec 2024.
- January 2025:
North Somerset Council leaders approved measures to start construction in 2025 – if the government agrees to fund the project.
- February 2025:
West of England Mayor Dan Norris announced on 10 Feb that Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy has written to him with confirmation of a deal for the go-ahead. See North Somerset News.
- March 2025:
The West of England Combined Authority Committee approved the allocation of the £27m funding to enable the project to go ahead.
The Government announcement on 4 June of £750m investment in transport for the West of England does not relate to the reopening of the Portishead line. The new funding is part of a five-year funding allocation from 2027/28 to 2031/32. See BBC article.
19 June 2025: Metro Mayor Helen Godwin said in an ITV West Country debate that ‘Government confirmation of the reopening of the Portishead Railway could be just days away’. See Bristol Live article …
- July 2025:
8 July 2025: The Dept for Transport announced the green light for over 50 road and rail upgrades including the Portishead line. See DfT announcement. Initial work should start in Autumn 2025 with main construction starting in Spring 2026. Opening now expected in late 2027/early 2028.
- September 2025:
Preparatory work associated with the railway has begun at Quays Avenue/Harbour Road roundabout by OpenReach.
