UK seaside town to get first train station in 70 years with incredible £152mn development

Portishead volition get its archetypal bid presumption successful 70 years. (Image: Getty)

A seaside town successful Somerset is acceptable to get its archetypal train station successful much than 70 years, arsenic portion of a £152 cardinal railway project that volition reconnect it to the national obstruction network.

Portishead, which mislaid its presumption successful 1954, is expected to person a caller obstruction nexus to Bristol Temple Meads by 2027, slashing travel times and boosting the local economy. 

The project, known arsenic MetroWest, volition besides spot a caller presumption built successful the adjacent village of Pill, giving residents much transport options.

The archetypal Portishead Railway Station opened successful 1867 and provided a important nexus for the increasing town. 

But it became 1 of galore casualties of the infamous Beeching cuts, which saw ample parts of Britain’s obstruction web axed successful the 1950s and 60s, The Sun reported.

Portishead bid presumption could unfastened successful 2027, if the Government approves the plans. (Image: North Somerset Council)

For decades, campaigners pushed for the enactment to beryllium reinstated, and present the long-awaited task is moving forward.

If operation starts this summer, trains could beryllium moving wrong the adjacent 2 years.

Once completed, the reopened enactment volition chopped question times betwixt Portishead and Bristol successful half, making it easier for commuters and visitors to scope the seaside town.

The railway upgrade volition beryllium backed by £30 cardinal successful funding, approved successful March by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Committee. 

West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris hailed the progress, calling it a “massive moment” for the region.

Portishead has go a fashionable destination for visitors. (Image: Getty)

He said: “The Bristol & Portishead Line was a unfortunate of historical obstruction cuts, but today, with a Labour authorities and a Labour mayor, we’re delivering the latest signifier of my ‘reverse Beeching’ plan.”

"I’m delighted to corroborate that this task is present yet steaming ahead."

The Portishead Line is projected to bring successful £43 cardinal per twelvemonth successful economical benefits, giving a large boost to section businesses and tourism.

Portishead itself has go a fashionable destination for visitors, known for its open-air swimming pool, scenic Battery Point, and views of the Welsh coastline successful the distance. 

The improved transport links are expected to marque the municipality adjacent much accessible to tourists and commuters.

While last authorities support is inactive required earlier operation begins, portion of the enactment has already been restored successful mentation for the instrumentality of rider services.