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History of the line Brunel first proposed the line in 1839, but it was actually built by the Bristol & Portishead Pier & Railway Company and opened on 18th April 1867. It was laid as a single line broad gauge branch running from Bristol (Ashton) to Portishead. It was operated by the Bristol & Exeter Railway, which became part of the GWR in 1884.
The line was closed to passenger traffic in September 1964, and freight in 1981, then lay disused except for occasional steam specials, but in 2002 most of its length was reopened for freight use. Only about 3 miles remain to be reopened from Portbury Docks to Portishead. The track still remains in place.
Read a fuller history
See also historic photos
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Welcome to our site
The Portishead Railway Group is campaigning for the reopening of the Portishead to Bristol railway line. The group was formed from the merger of two existing groups - the Portishead Railway Action Group and Portishead Heritage Rail Project in Nov 2005.
Portishead will be the largest town in the country without a rail link when the current house building programme is complete. Portishead’s population will have doubled by 2010.
We believe that there is a strong case for reopening the whole line for passenger use as soon as possible. Local people and local businesses are mostly very supportive.
You can really help by writing letters to key people.
Loco wanted ! Can you lend us (a real) one?
Next members’ meeting TBA 2008 7:30
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News
New petition now closed. See Petitions
New local authorities transport report submitted to Government including plans to re-open the Portishead line. Congestion in greater Bristol area costs £350m per year. See News and Transport Plans.
North Somerset traffic growth among country’s highest. See News
West to lose out on £10bn for railways? See News
Unified Transport Authority wins council backing. See News
Local Election results - changes in key transport officials - See News
Tories call for disused railway lines to be protected from development. See News
Proposal for a phased re-opening of Portishead line. See News.
MORE NEWS .... Press articles
Coming Events and meetings
Environmental issues
Maps SEARCH site
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