Under the three contracts, signed at Bristol Temple Meads, two brand new stations will be built at Portishead and Pill. Morgan Sindall Infrastructure will lead construction of the line and highways improvements at Portishead, Colas Rail will design and install a new digital signalling system and AmcoGiffen has been appointed to deliver bridge works and associated highways work in Bristol.
The core work involves building two new stations, relaying three miles of聽track聽and delivering the infrastructure needed to run a modern, reliable rail service along a corridor that has been dormant for generations.
This project is funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and North Somerset Council and will be delivered by Network Rail.
Construction is now underway, and once opened in winter 2028/29, the line will reconnect more than 50,000 people to the railway for the first time since the line was closed for passenger services in 1964, improving access to jobs, education and services while supporting more sustainable travel options.
In Portishead, site compounds are currently being set up off Harbour Road and off the A369 Portbury Hundred. Work will soon begin to remove what remains of the old railway and prepare the line for new track.
In Pill, site compounds are being constructed off Monmouth Road and at Lodway, near the hammer and spanner sculpture. Station House will soon be demolished to make way for the new station forecourt. Garages off Avon Road will then be demolished, creating the work area to renew the railway bridge and reinforce the embankment alongside the railway.