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Promises rail line will be built despite Government cash snub

An impression of what Portishead's new station will look like. Archant

Hopes of reopening Portishead’s railway station have been dealt a ‘disappointing’ blow after the Government chose not to award millions of pounds to the scheme in its latest round of funding.

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Leading political figures have promised the project is not dead, but the Department for Transport’s (DfT) funding has angered campaigners who feel the Government has given Portishead a ‘real kick in the teeth’.

Pre-election pledges have often focussed on providing a 21st century train link between Portishead, Pill and Bristol Temple Meads but the project has stalled on multiple occasions.

Those figures are adamant the scheme has not been derailed and will still be completed.

Last year, the scheme was revised to halve the proposed service to hourly after cost estimations rose by £100million.

An artist's impression of what Pill station would look like once built. Picture: MetroWest. An artist's impression of what Pill station would look like once built. Picture: MetroWest.

MORE: Portishead rail line opening date pushed back to 2021.

North Somerset Council, MetroWest and other key parties hoped the Government would provide additional funding to the project, but on Thursday it failed to give the good news many Portishead commuters have been praying for over the past decade.

An artist's impression of what Pill station would look like once built. Picture: MetroWest. An artist's impression of what Pill station would look like once built. Picture: MetroWest.

Dr Liam Fox, North Somerset’s MP, remains in touch with the DfT and says it considers the project ‘important’ and one which it is considering options for.

North Somerset Council said it is ‘disappointed’ at being overlooked by the Government, but the Times understands its leader Nigel Ashton has been in contact with transport secretary Chris Grayling to get assurances over future funding.

Cllr David Pasley, its executive member for finance, said the plan has not been ‘derailed’.

He said more than £50million has been already sourced for the project and is confident Government cash will arrive from a different stream soon.

He added building work for the stations in Pill and Portishead will begin within 12 months and he has not been told the estimated December 2021 opening date will need revising.

Despite assurances from political figures, unsurprisingly last week’s funding snub has caused anger.

David Wood, a member of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, said Mr Grayling has ‘stitched up’ Portishead and given the town a ‘kick in the teeth’.

He said: “This is another kick in the teeth..

“Despite promises from Westminster, the Government has failed to release vital funds to the South West for MetroWest phase one project.

“Now, with £47million left to find before work to reopen the line can begin, many are left questioning whether the project is left dead in the water.”

But the Portishead Railway Group is more optimistic.

Vice-chairman Colin Howells said: “Once again the Portishead railway line is hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

“The funding from the DfT to complete the project, which we were led to believe was a real possibility, has been refused.

“But this doesn’t mean that the project is dead, just that that particular source of funding is not available.

“While this setback is hugely frustrating for everyone, including those who are working on the MetroWest project, it’s not the first time we’ve faced a setback, and so, the campaign and the project carries on.”