Portishead Approved - Construction Updates Thread - No speculation

[John R]

Interesting news being reported today quoting the WoE Metro Mayor. Is this really it?

Portishead railway line will reopen with two new stations built.

Portishead railway line will reopen with two new stations built

Trains could be running between Bristol and Portishead by 2027

www.somersetlive.co.uk

The reopening of the Portishead Line will go ahead, West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris has announced today.

Mr Norris said: “This is a massive moment for the West of England: one that generations have eagerly waited to see. This is great news for residents, businesses, and our environment — and a truly red-letter day for our fantastic region.

“The Bristol & Portishead Line was a victim of historic rail cuts, but today, with a Labour government and a Labour mayor, we’re delivering the latest stage of my ‘reverse Beeching’ plan. I’m delighted to confirm that this project is now finally steaming ahead.”

The project will see new stations built in Portishead and Pill and the line, which closed to passengers in 1964, connecting the town and village to Bristol Temple Meads once again. The final £30m investment will be ratified in March at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Committee, including a contribution from North Somerset Council.

North Somerset Council leader, Cllr Mike Bell said: “The Portishead to Bristol rail line stands to be transformative for North Somerset and the wider area, connecting 50,000 people back into the rail network through regular and sustainable transport whilst offering access to the opportunities of growth across the southwest.

 

[yorksrob]

Excellent news if true !

 

[John R]

Also on the BBC now...

Bristol to Portishead rail line final funding agreed

The line, which was closed in 1964, could welcome passengers back by the end of 2027.

www.bbc.co.uk

Construction is set to begin in summer to bring back a railway line axed 60 years ago after an agreement was reached with the government over funding.
North Somerset Council leaders previously approved measures to start work on the Bristol and Portishead Line, but last month council leader Mike Bell said the project was £30-50m short.
Now, the mayor of the West of England Combined Authority [Weca] Dan Norris has said all parties have agreed on the final funding set-up.
"This is great news for residents, businesses, and our environment," he said.
The authority has invested £25m into the project to date, with an extra £30m now being provided by the government.

 

[brad465]

Excellent news. Do we know what the exact planned spec is, besides the stations for reopening (e.g. how much will be double track)?

 

[zwk500]

Excellent news. Do we know what the exact planned spec is, besides the stations for reopening (e.g. how much will be double track)?

Going by the drawings submitted for the DCO: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR040011/TR040011-000352-2.3 Works Plan.pdf it won't be double track.

The line currently has a loop just off the main line at Ashton Gate, then is single all the way to Portbury Docks. The proposal is to add a junction south of Pill station, realign the railway slightly so it has the docks track and the Portishead track running next to each other through Pill before diverging. This has given the appearance of double track in some of the images used on news reports and so on. AIUI the speed is being increased, not sure to what.

The webpage for the Development Consent Order is here: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/TR040011. Work south of the new junction is, I believe, taking place under NR's permitted development rights as it's a currently operational railway.

 

[brad465]

Going by the drawings submitted for the DCO: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR040011/TR040011-000352-2.3 Works Plan.pdf it won't be double track.

The line currently has a loop just off the main line at Ashton Gate, then is single all the way to Portbury Docks. The proposal is to add a junction south of Pill station, realign the railway slightly so it has the docks track and the Portishead track running next to each other through Pill before diverging. This has given the appearance of double track in some of the images used on news reports and so on. AIUI the speed is being increased, not sure to what.

The webpage for the Development Consent Order is here: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/TR040011. Work south of the new junction is, I believe, taking place under NR's permitted development rights as it's a currently operational railway.

Thank you for this, I confess though I always find those types of drawings very hard to comprehend. I never expected full double track all the way along, although I think there's merit in a passing loop at Pill and/or two platforms at Portishead. I don't expect the line speed to be terribly fast through the gorge given the curvature, but Pill to Portishead is fairly straight so could be 60-70mph if the planners think it's worth having.

 

[lachlan]

I haven't seen any mention of service frequency in the latest announcements, is it still one train per ghour?

Hopefully provisions are being provided for increasing this in the future.

Presuming the trains call at Parson Street and Bedminster this will be a big improvement in provision for those stations

 

[Barclay]

Yes still just one train per hour and no station at Ashton Gate yet. Let's hope this latest announcement isn't just the latest in a number of false starts.

 

[The Planner]

but Pill to Portishead is fairly straight so could be 60-70mph if the planners think it's worth having.

We don't get those choices, if the scheme delivers the timetable, the speed is what it is!

 

[tumbles]

I haven't seen any mention of service frequency in the latest announcements, is it still one train per ghour?

Hopefully provisions are being provided for increasing this in the future.

Presuming the trains call at Parson Street and Bedminster this will be a big improvement in provision for those stations

At peak times quoted as being able to run 40 minutes. Defo plans to stop at PS & Bedminster. Hopefully they can get phase 1a done soon after and get something around Ashton opened even if its not going to be for match days etc.

Yes still just one train per hour and no station at Ashton Gate yet. Let's hope this latest announcement isn't just the latest in a number of false starts.

The only stopping point now is if the DfT finding a reason to say no. This project is a pretty quick/easy win for the government when they are canning other stuff.

 

[Chris125]

Did I read somewhere that the platform lengths have been cut back to 3 carriages?

 

[John R]

Did I read somewhere that the platform lengths have been cut back to 3 carriages?

I do recall that, but so long as passive provision is made for an extension then I am not sure that is a big issue. I’m just glad the project is going ahead at all, and am not going to complain about any corner cutting to get it built.

 

[tumbles]

Did I read somewhere that the platform lengths have been cut back to 3 carriages?

Yes and cutting back on physical building at Portishead - just shelters. Hopefully provision for extending will be planned at Portishead. Pill they will be using the existing old station platform so I guess that's less work required.

 

[zwk500]

Thank you for this, I confess though I always find those types of drawings very hard to comprehend.

No worries - I have to look at them for work so I'm used to it, hence giving the description!

I never expected full double track all the way along, although I think there's merit in a passing loop at Pill and/or two platforms at Portishead.

A passing loop somewhere (most likely Pill) would be required for a half-hourly service. The current infrastructure proposal is the 'Minimum Viable Product' to get the scheme built.

I don't expect the line speed to be terribly fast through the gorge given the curvature, but Pill to Portishead is fairly straight so could be 60-70mph if the planners think it's worth having.

As mentioned, the line speed will be driven by the timetable requirements and subject to the engineering requirements. This line has been so difficult to get through the consent process that I am happy to see the absolute bare minimum be done to get it running with 1tph, so that it is there and being used. This will provide impetus and data to justify further investment in both the line specifically and the wider Bristol commuter rail area.

 

[Mag_seven]

Just to confirm that this thread is for construction updates only now it has been confirmed that the scheme is going ahead.

The speculative / suggestions thread remains open for speculation and suggestions about the scheme and can be found here:

Portishead reopening - speculative / suggestions thread.

I’ve had a look at various Portishead threads and can’t see detail of what work is required to restore the passenger service? Clearly line will need to be laid from the junction with the line to Portbury Docks at Pill and of course a new station at Portishead but is there also work required on...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[JKF]

It seems daft that they’re only now going ahead with construction work when the line now has (since the Autumn) regular daily freight for the first time in about six years. If they’d started two years ago they could have pretty much had full possession of the line to get on with it. But this is by no means the greatest mishap in what has been a long journey, glad we are finally here.

And perhaps worth pointing out that they have actually done quite a bit of work in the gorge recently anyway, lots of rock protection gone in and some new tree planting to replace some that will be lost during the reopening works.

 

[geoffk]

Yes still just one train per hour and no station at Ashton Gate yet. Let's hope this latest announcement isn't just the latest in a number of false starts.

Ashton Gate rail station planned for Portishead and Bristol Line

It will be among a number of new stations in Bristol after funding for a major project was agreed.

www.bbc.co.uk

According to BBC News, a new station at Ashton Gate is included in the plans.

 

[zwk500]

Ashton Gate rail station planned for Portishead and Bristol Line

It will be among a number of new stations in Bristol after funding for a major project was agreed.

www.bbc.co.uk

According to BBC News, a new station at Ashton Gate is included in the plans.

AIUI there is a separate set of proposals for additional stations around the WECA area, of which Ashton Gate is one. I'm fairly sure that Ashton Gate is not included in the initial phase of the reopening. Happy to be corrected but I think this is the news getting slightly jumbled in a flurry of announcements.

 

[geoffk]

AIUI there is a separate set of proposals for additional stations around the WECA area, of which Ashton Gate is one. I'm fairly sure that Ashton Gate is not included in the initial phase of the reopening. Happy to be corrected but I think this is the news getting slightly jumbled in a flurry of announcements.

Yes, you're probably right. I wonder where the rolling stock is coming from - two units for an hourly service?

 

[XCTurbostar]

Excellent news! 3 carriages is a little short-sighted though.

 

[The exile]

Yes, you're probably right. I wonder where the rolling stock is coming from - two units for an hourly service?

The influx of 175s should eventually trigger a bit of a cascade round the GWR network. "Eventually" probably not being in time for the intended launch of the Mid Cornwall Metro, but long before units are required for Portishead.

 

[Chris125]

Ashton Gate rail station planned for Portishead and Bristol Line

It will be among a number of new stations in Bristol after funding for a major project was agreed.

www.bbc.co.uk

According to BBC News, a new station at Ashton Gate is included in the plans.

The quote sounds a little less committal: "Interestingly we're also working to have new stations at places like Ashton Gate, Saltford and at St Anne's"

 

[zwk500]

Excellent news! 3 carriages is a little short-sighted though.

I don't think more than 3 carriages would be needed for a while tbh, although it is a shame to not have the capability to take a 4-Car Battery EMU without additional work. However extending Portishead platform and either extension or selective door opening at Pill are not the end of the world. Half-hourly will be more important than >3car, IMO.

 

[JKF]

The old platform at Pill is quite long, still in situ but I think missing edging etc. Track was slewed a bit when relaid for freight to maintain a decent clearance. There shouldn’t really be any physical constraints to extending the platform in terms of land.

The proposal is to use the former down platform because the freight line branches off to the right towards Portishead, which is a little unfortunate as the former up platform has level access at the north end which could have removed the need to install a lift, and maybe room for a drop-off area, whereas the down can only be accessed from the road bridge. It’s not a site that lends itself to arriving by car but is fairly well located within the village.

A piece of local trivia - the station was the site of filming of a Young Ones TV episode, where Vivian gets decapitated.

 

[zwk500]

Doing a bit more digging, WECA's press release https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/news/full-steam-ahead-for-bristol-portishead-line/ (and other reports presumably going mostly off it) reference a letter from the Rail Minister (Peter Hendy) to the WECA Mayor (Dan Norris) confirming the funding,

The Mayor led crunch talks in London with Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy last week and now the minister has written to him with confirmation of the deal.

but Railway Gazette quotes the DfT saying essentially 'wait until the spending review'. https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/r...railway-reopening-funding-fight/68294.article

The Department for Transport was more cautious, with a spokesperson telling Rail Business UK that ‘the full business case for reopening the Portishead line is currently being considered by the Department for Transport and, as with all government funded projects, is subject to the upcoming spending review’.

However, as Railway Gazette also says that :

On February 19, Norris said Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy had written to him with confirmation of the deal.

It's somewhat confusing what the current situation actually is.

Does anybody have a published copy of the Rail Minister's Letter confirming funding, or are we still waiting some kind of formal confirmation from the government that the money is actually approved?

 

[brad465]

The quote sounds a little less committal: "Interestingly we're also working to have new stations at places like Ashton Gate, Saltford and at St Anne's"

Those two stations could be interesting to include: while I have no doubt the demand is there for them, the intensively-used Bristol-Bath corridor will need upgrades to allow new stations on it (such as 4-aspect signalling, further passing loops, and/or electrification with EMUs on the stoppers). That being said I wouldn't be surpised if, should those two stations open, the Portishead services are extended towards Bath Spa to serve them and save occupying platforms at Temple Meads for an extended period.

 

[zwk500]

Those two stations could be interesting to include: while I have no doubt the demand is there for them, the intensively-used Bristol-Bath corridor will need upgrades to allow new stations on it (such as 4-aspect signalling, further passing loops, and/or electrification with EMUs on the stoppers). That being said I wouldn't be surpised if, should those two stations open, the Portishead services are extended towards Bath Spa to serve them and save occupying platforms at Temple Meads for an extended period.

Those two stations are unlikely to justify the quite sizable interventions needed to accomodate them without penalising the Bristol-London trains. In any event, the existing Gloucester-Westbury trains are the ones you'd stop at those two, rather than running extra trains.

Portishead can either sit in the country end (even numbered platforms), shunt, link in with the Filton Abbey Wood services (potentially awkward for stock as they interwork with the Severn Beach-Weston*), or even get a passenger route to P2 provided (needs another crossover though). However with a 25min journey time being talked about 1 unit would be able to hand the service with a reasonably short turnround so it's probably not even a problem.

 

[Tomos y Tanc]

Good to see something - but this had been value engineered so severely that the service will be sub-optimal and do little to ease congestion.

On suburban lines 4 tph is the bare minimum to achieve turn up and go status. 1 tph is better than nothing, I guess, but still pretty pathetic. This is something politicians should be ashamed of, rather than trumpeting it as some major achievement.

 

[weeklycommuter]

This is the official announcement by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority

Full steam ahead for Bristol & Portishead Line - West of England Combined Authority

www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk

West Of England Mayoral Combined Authority
Full steam ahead for Bristol & Portishead Line
Published date 10 February 2025
The first passengers in over 60 years could be using the line between Bristol and Portishead by the end of 2027, it was announced by Mayor Dan Norris today, after he reached a landmark agreement with the Government on plans for the railway.
This paves the way for construction to begin this summer.
The reopening of the railway, which was axed back in 1964, will slash travel times in half, reduce car commuting by 5.5%, and unlock an estimated £43 million in economic growth each year.
“This is a massive moment for the West of England: one that generations have eagerly waited to see”, said Mayor Dan Norris, who pledged in his manifesto in 2021 to make progress on the iconic rail project. His Mayoral Combined Authority has invested £25 million into the project to date.
The Mayor led crunch talks in London with Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy last week and now the minister has written to him with confirmation of the deal.
Dan Norris, the Mayor of the West of England, continued: “This is great news for residents, businesses, and our environment - and a truly red-letter day for our fantastic region.”
“The Bristol & Portishead Line was a victim of historic rail cuts, but today, with a Labour government and a Labour mayor, we’re delivering the latest stage of my ‘reverse Beeching’ plan. I’m delighted to confirm that this project is now finally steaming ahead.”
The final £30 million boost to ensure that the long-awaited reopening becomes a reality will be ratified in March at the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Committee. This includes a contribution from North Somerset Council.
The Bristol & Portishead Line first opened in 1867. Passenger services were scrapped in 1964.
Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council and Executive Member for Major Projects said: “The Portishead to Bristol rail line stands to be transformative for North Somerset and the wider area, connecting 50,000 people back into the rail network through regular and sustainable transport whilst offering access to the opportunities of growth across the southwest.
“Working in partnership with West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Department for Transport and Network Rail, we have put in the hard work and were the country’s first passenger rail scheme to secure a Development Consent Order to re-open a branch line.
“Together, we have risen to challenges of rising costs, understanding the value that these train services will offer to our communities. I’d like to thank everyone involved for their effort to date and look forward continuing our work to get the first trains up and running.”
The Mayor is also leading work to explore more new stations including at Ashton Gate, which sits on the Bristol & Portishead Line; Lockleaze; St Anne’s Park, and his personal favourite, Saltford.
Mayor Dan Norris has opened two new train stations since 2023 (Portway Park & Ride and Ashley Down), with five more scheduled to open in the next few years. Work on North Filton is being accelerated, and aims to open in 2026. Charfield, Henbury, Pill, and Portishead stations are due to open in 2027/28.

 

[DDB]

I wonder if the Mayor jumped the gun on the announcement and it was supposed to be saved for the spending review.

There are lots of posts pointing out the imperfections of the plan. I think that is far too negative. Get something built and running! I think it will be much much easier to campaign for enhancements once the service exists and it can be seen how busy it is rather than relying on modelling.