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.

Portishead original station

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 and Old Timetables

Welcome to our site

The Portishead Railway Group is campaigning for the Portishead to Bristol railway line to be re-opened as soon as possible.

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.

Our membership currently stands at 502 households. Join us ...

Next meeting:

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Docks line deviating from branch to Portishead