Portishead Line Restoration Starts for 2028 Return

Construction has started on the Portishead Line restoration, advancing a £197 million scheme that will return hourly passenger trains to Bristol after more than 60 years.

Portishead Line restoration targets 25-minute journeys

The Department for Transport⁠ has invested more than £63 million in the project as part of a £197 million package agreed with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and North Somerset Council. The scheme will upgrade 5.5 miles of railway currently used by freight trains, restore another 3 miles of former railway and build new stations at Pill and Portishead.

More than 50,000 people are expected to regain access to the rail network. Great Western Railway is developing an hourly service between Portishead and Bristol Temple Meads, calling at Pill, Parson Street and Bedminster. The end-to-end journey is planned to take around 25 minutes, less than half the time the same trip can take by car in rush-hour traffic.

The government lists 2028 for the start of services, while Network Rail has described⁠ the opening window more specifically as winter 2028/29.

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Contractors take on track, signalling and bridge work

Network Rail has divided delivery⁠ among three principal contractors. Morgan Sindall Infrastructure will lead construction of the railway and associated highway changes in Portishead. Colas Rail will design and install a new digital signalling system, while AmcoGiffen will handle bridge works and related highway improvements in Bristol.

The contracts move the project from planning into physical delivery. By June, work included a new road and roundabout to realign Quays Avenue and create space for Portishead station. Old track between Portishead and Sheepway had also been removed, while temporary compounds were being established along the route.

Two new stations anchor the reopening

Pill and Portishead will receive the route’s two new stations, restoring passenger access lost when services ended in 1964. The line will retain its connection with the existing freight railway, combining renewed infrastructure with the reinstated section toward Portishead.

Project partners estimate that the operational railway could support £43 million in regional economic growth each year. Plans also envisage a later connection through to the Bristol Brabazon development and the new Aviva Arena, extending the route’s role beyond the initial Portishead–Bristol service.