14km of new track between Bristol and Portishead has been given approval by the Transport Secretary.

The £152 line will form part of the MetroWest programme run in partnership with local councils, Network Rail and the Department for Transport (DfT).

In April 2022 former Transport Secretary said he wanted more information on the costs of the project before approving the Bristol-Portishead line.

Despite spiralling costs associated with increasing energy prices and materials costs, extra funding of £10 million from North Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority along with more than £15 million from the DfT has led to the new Transport Secretary to approve the plans.

In the official decision from the DfT they said, “The secretary of state has concluded that there is a compelling case for authorising the project, taking into account the substantial public benefits that it would be likely to achieve and the comprehensive range of mitigation and compensatory measures that would be implemented to offset the adverse impacts of the proposed development.”

North Somerset Council leader, Steve Bridger said in response to the decision, “The local population has quadrupled since the original Portishead rail line closed almost 60 years ago. In reopening this route and stations at Portishead and Pill, we can better connect our communities and businesses to the opportunities offered by continued growth across our region, both now and in the future.”

Construction is expected to get underway sometime in 2024.