The Portishead Line

We’re restoring the Portishead Line from Bristol to Portishead.

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The Portishead Line

The branch line was closed in 1964 but when reopened in 2028, it will reconnect more than 50,000 people to the railway. The project is funded by Government, the West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council and is being delivered by Network Rail.

The restored railway will provide an hourly direct train from Portishead to Bristol Temple Meads in around 25 minutes. The route runs along one of the most scenic stretches of railway in the country, under the Clifton Suspension Bridge and through the Avon Gorge.

New stations will be built at Portishead and Pill. Three miles of new track will be laid from Portishead to join the existing railway at Pill, which is currently used only for freight to Royal Portbury Dock. An additional line will be added through Pill to allow trains to pass each other. The whole railway from Portishead to Parson Street will be upgraded and signals and communication masts will be installed.

What work is taking place?

Portishead

We’re building a new Quays Avenue and roundabout to make space for the new station. A new road layout is in place on Quays Avenue but Two-way traffic remains. From 22 June until autumn 2026 a one-way system will be in place on Harbour Road, with traffic only able to travel towards the roundabout from Newfoundland Way. We’re also setting up our site compound off the A369 Portbury Hundred.

Work has begun on the disused line from Portishead to Sheepway to prepare for new track to be laid. We’re removing tree stumps and other vegetation, taking out old track and installing fencing.

As part of this work, footpaths over the railway at Tansy Lane and Moor Lane will be closed from Tuesday 26 May until Friday 19 June to keep the public safe. A diversion via Quays Avenue will be in place:

Pill

We’ve demolished Station House to make way for the new station forecourt. The garages on Avon Road will also soon be demolished to make way for a larger railway bridge.

Work will then begin to strengthen the embankments alongside the railway. We’ll be installing over 2,000 nails to reinforce the earthwork. This will be complete by the end of 2026.

We continue to set up our site compounds off Monmouth Road and at Lodway, near the hammer and spanner sculpture.

Work to strengthen Marsh Lane bridge is now complete and the road has reopened to all traffic. Work moves to Sheepway bridge and from 25 June until November, the public right of way close to the bridge will be diverted:

Ecology

Extensive work has taken place to ensure species living near the railway are protected while the work takes place, such as toads, reptiles, badgers and bats. Rare whitebeam trees have also been grown and planted in Leigh Woods in the Avon Gorge. All the work has been completed in conjunction with Natural England.

Why is the work needed?

The Portishead Line is phase one of the wider Metro West project to improve rail links in Bristol and surrounding areas, improving connectivity and enhancing the local economy. Phase two will include new stations on a rail line to Henbury.

In total Metro West aims to provide seven new stations and five new or enhanced rail links by 2028.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or require further information in the meantime, you can get in touch with us by visiting our contact us page or by calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.