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Friday 19 Jun 2026

Residents invited to drop-in sessions as Portishead line work ramps up

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Great Western

Local residents are being invited to meet the project team at forthcoming community drop-in events as the £200m scheme to put Portishead and Pill back on the railway map for the first time in more than 60 years gathers pace.

Two sessions will be held next week, giving residents the chance to ask questions and speak directly with the team delivering the project:

• Tuesday 23 June, 3.30–7.30pm – Pill Community Centre
• Thursday 25 June, 3.30–7.30pm – Somerset Hall, Portishead

Invitations have been sent to households near the railway in Portishead and Pill, but all are welcome to attend.

The restoration of the Portishead Line, which has been closed for passenger use since 1964, is being funded by the Department for Transport, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and North Somerset Council. The railway will be delivered by Network Rail, with services operated by Great Western Railway (GWR).

Significant progress is already being made across the route:

In Portishead, work is underway on a new road and roundabout to realign Quays Avenue further west, creating space for the new station. A temporary one-way system on Harbour Road will be in place from Monday 22 June until autumn.

Between Portishead and Sheepway, the old track has been removed and vegetation cleared, preparing the route for the new railway.

In Pill, the former Station House has been demolished and the site cleared, ready to become the forecourt for the new station. Work to excavate and strengthen the embankment alongside the railway will begin shortly.

Improvements to Marsh Lane bridge have now been completed. This is one of four bridges being upgraded to support the new railway, with work starting at Sheepway bridge on Thursday 25 June.

Niall Spencer, senior sponsor for Network Rail's Great Western Route, said:

“It’s been a great start to the project which will bring the passenger railway back to Portishead and Pill for the first time since the 1960s, and over the coming months communities will really begin to see their railway take shape.

“We’re working closely alongside our partners at the DfT, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, North Somerset Council and GWR to deliver this scheme, and are committed to keeping local residents up-to-date with our progress.  

“These drop-in sessions are a great opportunity for people to meet the team delivering this exciting project and ask any questions about the work taking place.”

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

"The new stations in Pill and Portishead on the new £200 million train line we're building - funded by the government, combined authority, and local council - will connect more residents across the West of England to work, nature and leisure. We will see a lot of change happening over the next few months and it is important that local people have these opportunities to ask any questions."

Sadik Al-Hasan, MP for North Somerset, said:

“After decades of waiting, it is genuinely exciting to see the Portishead Line coming back to life. This railway will be transformative for North Somerset, reducing congestion, connecting communities and giving residents a sustainable travel choice they have long deserved.

"I'd encourage everyone in Portishead and Pill to come along to the drop-in sessions later this month. This is your railway and a chance to meet the team, see how the project is progressing and have your questions answered.”

Hannah Shackleford, GWR Wales and West of England development manager, said:

"This project is about much more than new stations, it's about giving thousands more people direct, reliable access to the rail network.

"When complete, this line will connect residents and visitors to Bristol city centre, and in time will link with Bristol Brabazon station and the new Aviva Arena, creating a sustainable public transport corridor that this part of the region has long needed.

"We know that reliable rail services make a real difference to people's lives, to local businesses and to the wider economy, and that is exactly what we are working to deliver here.

"Drop-in sessions like these are really important to us. We want the people who will use this line to be part of the conversation as we build towards opening, and we're grateful for their patience and interest as this work progresses."

ENDS