Date: 23/06/2015

A public consultation into plans to reopen a Bristol railway line has begun. The Portishead branch line shut in 1964 but is now part of the MetroWest Phase 1 project which aims to reopen the line to passenger services by 2019. Work will involve opening a new station in Portishead, reopening Pill station, building new footbridges and doubling part of the track. A six week consultation will run until 3 August. When complete the line will link Portishead with Bristol Temple Meads and the Severn Beach Line. [From Richard Buckby]

External links

Railway reopening consultation begins

BBC News

A public consultation into plans to reopen a railway line near Bristol begins.

Related images

This new station in Portishead, photographed in the summer of 1960, had a life of only ten years, (1954-1964). It was built to replace the previous station (shared with the Weston, Clevedon and Portishead light railway) which had been closed to make way for a new power station.
Location: Portishead
Company: Bristol and Portishead Pier and Railway
/07/1960 John Thorn

EWS 66016 running west light engine towards Portbury coal import terminal on 9 February 2010.
Location: Clifton Bridge
Company: Bristol and Portishead Pier and Railway
09/02/2010 Andy Kirkham

A coal train from Portbury import terminal, destination Rugeley power station, passing Ashton Gate on the western approach to Bristol on 4 August 2010. The locomotive is Freightliner class 70 no 70003.
Location: Ashton Gate
Company: Bristol and Portishead Pier and Railway
04/08/2010 Peter Todd