The Portishead Line

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

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Public information sessions

Two public drop-in sessions are being held for anyone to come along and learn more about the project. Team members will be on hand with further information and to answer any questions. The sessions are taking place on:

• Thursday 26 March, 3.30pm – 7.30pm, Somerset Hall, Portishead
• Tuesday 31 March, 3.30pm – 7.30pm, Community Centre, Pill

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

Work continues to move utilities. This will allow us to realign Quays Avenue, Harbour Road and Phoenix way with a new roundabout. This creates space to build the new Portishead station, blue badge parking and drop-off area. Temporary traffic lights will be in place on Quays Avenue, Harbour Road and Phoenix Way.

In April we’ll begin setting up site compounds off Harbour Road and off the A369 Portbury Hundred. Some temporary traffic lights on the A369 will be needed to build a new junction into the compound.

Footpaths over the railway at Tansy Lane and Moor Lane in Portishead will be closed to allow the railway to be rebuilt. These routes are not public rights of way. Pedestrians and cyclists should now use Quays Avenue to reach the other side of the railway.

Pill

From Monday 16 February until Monday 9 March vegetation will be cleared near Monmouth Road to create space for our site compound. Fencing will then be built around the compound. Vegetation along the railway will also be cleared to enable the land either side of the railway to be surveyed.

From Tuesday 7 April until Friday 5 June Marsh Lane bridge will be strengthened. A diversion via the A369 and Royal Portbury Dock Road will be clearly signposted. The public right of way under the bridge will also be suspended, with a diversion also in place.

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.