West leaders welcome government green light for Portishead line

The long-awaited return of the Bristol & Portishead line has been given the official green light by the Department for Transport today.

The final £27.6million has been approved to re-open the line in 2028 and build new stations at Portishead and Pill. This paves the way to mobilise in the autumn to start work in spring/summer 2026.

The reopening of the line, which was axed in the 1960s during Beeching cuts, will slash travel times in half and reduce car commuting.

This is just one part of a wider £400 million rail upgrade across the West of England, creating new stations and increasing train services to better connect communities.

The new Mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, said:

“The Bristol & Portishead Line has been missed for generations. Its return has been long promised, with too many false starts. Now, in this new chapter for our region, we will build it together.

“The West of England and North Somerset, with government backing and industry partners, will connect more people to opportunity, leisure, and nature. We’re investing in jobs and economic growth. Local people will see and feel the difference from commutes being cut in half through train travel, and building this key transport infrastructure will unlock sites for much-needed new homes.

“Pill and Portishead are two of the five new railway stations being built in the West over the next few years. But our ambition goes further. Delivering projects like the Bristol & Portishead Line now lays the foundations for a better transport system overall for the West of England, building the suburban railway network that other places take for granted.

“Last month in the government’s Spending Review, we secured £752 million for that next stage. That means that the West can get out of the slow lane on transport and start to catch up with other city-regions, with better buses, more trains, and mass transit – with trams and much more on the table.”

Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said:

“It’s brilliant to announce today that, after many years of hard work, we have this crucial funding for the reopening of the Portishead to Bristol rail line.

“This Department for Transport backing means we can roll up our sleeves in readiness to get out on site, connecting 50,000 residents back into the rail network by linking Portishead and Pill with Bristol and beyond.

“When it opens, the line will offer its first passenger trains in generations, with journey times of just 23 minutes providing more sustainable access to jobs, education and an estimated £43 million in economic growth every year.

“Once again, I’d like to thank our partners at the West of England Combined Authority, Network Rail, the Department for Transport\ and our local MPs who have all played an important role, working tirelessly alongside North Somerset Council to help us arrive at this important juncture.

“We know how important this scheme is to local people and we’re excited that we can now depart on this journey and finally deliver full steam ahead.”

Sadik Al-Hassan, MP for North Somerset, said:

“I am overjoyed that Government colleagues were persuaded of the necessity of reopening the Portishead and Pill railway line. This railway line is not just steel tracks and aluminium carriages, it is a promise to the people of Portishead, Pill and all of North Somerset that this Government is investing in them. By fostering connectivity to the wider region, we will create jobs, spur local economic growth and ensure everyone has access to reliable public transportation.

“Whilst I have lobbied hard for the past year, the project would not be proceeding at all were it not for the tenacity of the Portishead Railway Group and other local supporters of the project, who have fought for this for 25 years now. I am proud to have helped finally get this project across the line and shows what can be done with a Labour MP, Labour Government and Labour Mayor.”

Kerry McCarthy, MP for Bristol East, said:

“I am very happy to see the Government commit to building the Portishead line. This is a major step forward in improving connectivity for our city and reducing road traffic in and out of Bristol. I’m looking forward to taking the train in 2028 and going for a swim in the lido!”

Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South, said:

“It is fantastic that this long campaigned for investment will see new trains running through Bristol South. The reopened line will make our region better connected with more opportunities for all. Labour was elected with a promise to kickstart economic growth – this investment shows that Labour in power delivers what we promise.”

Hannah Shackleford, GWR Wales & West of England Development Manager, said:

“New stations and services such as this are vital in bringing the railway closer to people as we become mindful of the need to live and travel more sustainably.

“We’re really pleased to be able to continue to work with the DfT, the WoE MCA, North Somerset Council and Network Rail, as we re-instate this line and deliver new stations for even more people to take advantage of the benefits of rail.

“We are excited for the benefits this will bring to the local economy, to residents, businesses and to leisure travellers alike.”

Marcus Jones, Network Rail’s Western route director, said:

“We’re pleased that this project has been given the go ahead. Trains linking Portishead, Pill and Bristol Temple Meads will transform our region’s rail infrastructure and is a vital step towards better connectivity, greener transport, and economic opportunity. The project has been a long-standing ambition and we’re proud to now be moving closer into the delivery phase. We look forward to bringing the railway closer to communities that haven’t had easy access to train journeys for more than 60 years.”

Two new railway stations have opened in the region since 2023 – Portway Park & Ride and Ashley Down – with five more in total planned including North Filton, Henbury and Charfield.

Press release by West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.