A contractor has now been appointed to build stations at Pill and Portishead, bringing Network Rail a step closer to the restoration of the former railway line which has been out of use since 1964. The appointment of VolkerFitzpatrick as the primary contractor follows the Department for Transport announcement of planning consent in November last year.
Once complete, the new passenger service will connect 50,000 residents to the railway network by reopening a line that was closed in 1964. The Portishead scheme is part of the MetroWest programme, which will bring suburban services to more stations across the west of England.
Over the next 12-18 months the project team will complete the detailed design phase, as well as ground and ecology surveys and enabling works, while preparing the full business case for decision makers. David Davidson, Network Rail’s interim Western route director, said: “We’re delighted to have awarded the contract for the restoration of the Portishead to Bristol line to VolkerFitzpatrick, reaching an important milestone for the reintroduction of passenger services.
