The Department for Transport (DfT) in the UK has agreed to provide more than £31m in funding to the MetroWest Phase One scheme, which involves the reopening of the Portishead to Bristol rail line.
The funding announcement was made by the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling.
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It comes just ahead of the submission of a Development Consent Order (DCO) to the DfT in July. All major infrastructure projects require a DCO to advance.
North Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority are leading the MetroWest Phase One on behalf of South Gloucestershire, Bristol City and Bath, as well as North East Somerset councils.
Overall, the scheme involves reopening the Portishead branch line with two new stations at Portishead and Pill.
Additionally, it includes conducting major improvement works to passenger services along the Severn Beach and Bristol to Bath Lines.
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By GlobalDataNorth Somerset Council Transport and Infrastructure head Colin Medus said: “The Portishead Rail scheme is a nationally significant project that will open-up the rail network to thousands of people across the region and will help relieve congestion during the rush hour periods.
“We are committed to investing in the infrastructure of our area and this Government funding is the news we have been waiting for. MetroWest Phase One is firmly on track for delivering rail services fit for the future of our region.”
The Portishead branch line was closed in 1964. The current plan aims to open the line for passenger services by 2021.
Last year, a similar funding bid to reopen the Portishead-Bristol rail line was rejected by the government.
