The government has confirmed the reopening of the Portishead railway, ending a year of uncertainty.
Today, the Department for Transport declared the initiative will be granted the essential multi-million pound investment from the government.
The long-awaited project involves constructing new stations in Portishead and Pill, re-establishing rail links with Bristol Temple Meads, which were severed back in 1964.
An additional £27.6m is being allocated by the government towards the £180m scheme, coinciding with the announcement of funding for numerous transport projects throughout Somerset and beyond.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "Transport is the backbone of our economy, which is why we are giving them the record funding boost they need, putting taxpayer's money where it matters most and making everyday journeys easier."
Plans are also underway to reinstate rail services between Portishead and Bristol City Centre, improving connections to employment, education, and new opportunities.
Mike Bell, Liberal Democrat leader of North Somerset Council, which is co-funding the project alongside the West of England Combined Authority, said: "It's brilliant to announce today that, after many years of hard work, we have this crucial funding for the reopening of the Portishead to Bristol rail line.
"This Department for Transport backing means we can roll up our sleeves in readiness to get out on site, connecting 50,000 residents back into the rail network by linking Portishead and Pill with Bristol and beyond.
"When it opens, the rail line will offer its first passenger trains since 1964, with journey times of just 23 minutes providing more sustainable access to jobs, education and everything else our growing region has to offer."
While the line from Bristol to Pill has already been restored for freight, further work is required to make it suitable for passenger trains. The section between Pill and Portishead has been "mothballed" and remains largely undeveloped.
The project's funding has been secured, paving the way for the restoration of the rail line, which will reconnect 50,000 residents to the rail network and provide a more sustainable travel option.
This evening, North Somerset Council is slated to deliberate over an update regarding the prospective reopening of the railway line, which has seen fervent calls for action since the 1970s.
A report indicates that the council stands poised to advance with plans, pending confirmation from Westminster, allowing construction activities to kick off as early as September.
The report mentions that North Somerset Council is "readying to proceed" with the next phase of construction work on the mothballed track as part of the initiative under the Metrowest project banner.
Despite significant progress, including the scheme's progress as a component of the Metrowest project, the Labour government’s termination of the Restoring Your Railway fund posed a significant stumbling block, sending the project into uncertainty as it sought clarity on continued support.
In a vital financial manoeuvre earlier this year, local council leaders and the West of England Combined Authority reached an agreement with authorities to commit an additional £30m from the region's coffers.
Although final word from the government awaited the Chancellor's spending review last month, with no specific reference made to the railway endeavour, confidence was voiced by figures such as Mr Bell and Labour West of England Metro Mayor Helen Godwin in the project receiving a green light.
With its current valuation standing at £182.21m, the investment announced today boosts the government's stake, tipping their total contribution over the £47m mark.
Ms Godwin said the line had been "missed for generations".
She added: "Its return has been long promised, with too many false starts. Now, in this new chapter for our region, we will build it together.
"The West of England and North Somerset, with government backing and industry partners, will connect more people to opportunity, leisure, and nature. We're investing in jobs and economic growth. Local people will see and feel the difference from commutes being cut in half through train travel, and building this key transport infrastructure will unlock sites for much-needed new homes.
"Pill and Portishead are two of the five new railway stations being built in the West over the next few years. But our ambition goes further. Delivering projects like the Bristol & Portishead Line now lays the foundations for a better transport system overall for the West of England, building the suburban railway network that other places take for granted."
Mr Bell added: "Once again, I'd like to thank our partners at the West of England Combined Authority, Network Rail, the Department for Transport and our local MPs who have all played an important role, working tirelessly alongside North Somerset Council to help us arrive at this juncture.
"We know how important this scheme is to local people and we're excited that we can now depart on this journey and finally deliver full steam ahead."
