The public is being invited to two drop-in sessions ahead of major work to restore the railway between Portishead and Bristol.
The work begins this spring, and these sessions provide an opportunity to ask any questions on the 26th (Somerset Hall, Portishead) and the 31st (Community Centre, Pill) of March, between 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
This project will see the line, which closed in 1964, restored and operate GWR trains.
The Department for Transport, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and North Somerset Council have funded the project, which will be delivered by Network Rail.
The work will see over 50,000 connected to the railway via a quicker route to Bristol and will bring huge growth for the local area.
This will also help journeys be greener, with a projected 8 million car journeys removed from the roads by 2044, thanks to the hourly direct service taking around 25 minutes.
Work compounds will be set up off the A369 Portbury Hundred near Sheepway, near Harbour Road in Portishead, and Monmouth Road in Pill, in April to allow work to begin.
Last autumn, work began in preparation for the project, with trees removed to make space for all the aspects involved, including the new stations.
The areas around the railway have had ecological surveys undertaken to ensure species such as bats and badgers are protected, and whitebeam trees have been planted.
“Reopening the Portishead to Bristol line has been talked about for decades, and thanks to Government investment we’re finally getting it done.
“Previously cut off passengers will have a rail service for the first time in over 60 years opening up new opportunities and supporting jobs, economic growth, and communities in Portishead, Pill and the surrounding area.”
Lord Hendy, rail minister
Responses
Good to see plans to reinstate Portishead line to passenger service along with new stations. Plus Henbury line should also be reinstated along with a new station at Henbury.
Portishead coming back onto the railway passenger map will be welcome. However, I do hope that the railway station at Portishead will be a good deal better than the artists impression. The canopy in particular is a typical piece of useless modern tat. It wont afford any decent shelter if it rains. The modern railway appears to have lost the art of canopy design. Traditional designs are far superior. Additionally, I hope that there is a run round loop provided for excursion trains to run. It would also be a nice idea if on the weekend prior to service trains starting that a steam-hauled train could run. This would be good publicity and create an awareness to a wider audience. A line of route publicity leaflet would be useful too.
Don’t you mean reinstatement of the line ? There is no such word as reinstation as far as I am aware!