Opening up the line for more rail travel in Bristol
An agreement between the Department for Transport, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and North Somerset Council to reopen the Portishead to Bristol rail line has breathed new life into plans for new stations at Ashton Gate, St Anne’s Park and Lockleaze.
The landmark deal to reopen the long-campaigned for Portishead to Bristol rail line was recently secured by a delegation of leaders from the West of England, including Leader of Bristol City Council, Councillor Tony Dyer, at a meeting with Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy.
Unlocking this major route between Portishead and Bristol Temple Meads will provide a travel option that halves travel time for commuters, significantly reduce transport emissions, and create new opportunities that are forecast to bring millions of pounds of economic benefits to the West of England economy.
For Bristol it also means an important next step is taken towards bringing a rail station open to all residents back to Ashton Gate for the first time since 1964.
This agreement to reopen the Portishead to Bristol rail line is a landmark deal that opens up new opportunities for residents and businesses alike. A new route from Bristol Temple Meads offers new options for commuters, day visitors and others to travel around the region quickly and in a way that helps further reduce emissions produced by transport. The agreement we, as the leaders in the West of England, have reached with the Department for Transport is an example of the kind of joint working we aim to achieve across the region to unlock new opportunities and offers for those travelling across our area.
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council
Reopening the branch line not only brings travel and environmental benefits for the region, but also brings us closer to realising more local ambitions or expanding access to rail for residents across south Bristol. The approach complements our plans for South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood, which we are working on with communities across Southville, Bedminster and Windmill Hill, to design safer and quieter streets. With a reopened line bringing new commuter trains along the tracks through Ashton Gate, the prospect of reopening the long-abandoned station can be brought a step closer. The prospect of reconnecting the area with a direct rail service into the city and the wider region is one this administration is campaigning hard for and will continue to work with our regional partners to make a reality.
Likewise, our ambition remains high for further stations in Bristol to connect residents to the rail network. Working with our regional partners we are progressing investigations into new stations at St Anne’s Park and Lockleaze as well the potential for electrifying the Filton Bank to enable more frequent services and cleaner trains. These options offer clear benefits to the communities around them and would massively expand the number of travel options for residents in the area.
