News 2021 – newer at top Go to latest news >>
October 2021:
On 20 October 2021, the Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps deferred a decision which had been due on 19 October 2021 to 19 April 2022 ‘to allow further consideration of environmental matters’. The PRG committee is seeking information on this disappointing delay. See statement to Parliament.
July 2021:
On 19 July 2021 the Examining Authority issued a Recommendation Report on the project to the Secretary of State, who has three months to announce a decision, i.e. by 19 Oct 2021.
North Somerset Council announced that old rails, points and buffers from the old line are to be recycled and reused by the Avon Valley Railway. See NSC press release.
June 2021:
The procurement of contractors to design and build the final scheme is continuing led by Network Rail working with the project team.
Ecological survey work on and around the railway is taking place over the next few months to obtain the most up-to-date information, so that the ecology is as unaffected by the scheme during both the construction and operational periods as possible.
April 2021:
The Examination stage of the DCO was completed on 19 April 2021. The DCO now moves into the 3-month Recommendation and Decision stage (Stage 5 of 6) at the end of which the Planning Inspectorate reports to the Secretary of State.
February 2021:
The search for contractors to build the proposed line has begun, with Network Rail launching the procurement process.
January 2021:
Network Rail will be carrying out ground and structural investigations on and around the railway through Pill from Wednesday 20th January until 25th April.