Portishead trainline plans finally given planning permission
It's hoped the line could reopen in 2026
Local politicians are celebrating as long-standing plans to reopen the railway line between Portishead and Bristol have finally been granted planning permission.
The idea was first put forward as part of a major project to improve transport links in the West of England called MetroWest.
At the time it was thought the line could reopen in 2019, now three years ago.
That date was delayed for various reasons, and it is now thought work could be completed in 2026 as the Secretary of State for Transport has signed off on a Development Consent Order for the work.
Huw James, who represents Portishead South on North Somerset Council, says he is "over the moon" at the news.
"It’s my absolute joy that the government has granted planning consent, which will allow work on the Portishead Line to soon commence," he says in a statement.
"This project will ease congestion and open new opportunities and a brighter greener future for Portishead, Pill, and the wider Gordano Valley area.
"Residents of Portishead, Pill, and surrounding areas would be forgiven for thinking this will never happen given the delay after delay we have seen.
"But this is a turning point for the project.
"Portishead is back on track.”
The train line was closed to passengers back in 1964, with the work to reopen it expected to cost ÂŁ152 million.
A new station will be built at Portishead as part of the scheme, as will a new one at Pill, with services set to run hourly into and out of Bristol Temple Meads.
West of England Mayor Dan Norris, who is in charge of transport policy across the region, has called it "another positive step".
"The last time you could catch a train along this line was before man walked on the moon and the Beatles were taking America by storm," he says in a statement.
"So I'm pleased to have passed another important milestone.
"This is a project long in the making and undoubted there will be more bumps in the road.
"However, this important thumbs up keeps us firmly on the right track, and means the hard work of physically bringing this rail line back to life can begin."
Money for the work is coming from a mix of the government and local authorities.