Hopes new hourly train service could be expanded

A long-awaited hourly train service could be expanded to meet demands of customers, the leader of North Somerset Council has said.

Councillor Mike Bell told BBC Radio Bristol he was "confident" the new line between Bristol and Portishead - currently being rebuilt more than 60 years after it was axed - would be "well supported" by commuters and visitors.

Work is ongoing to reopen the line between Bristol and Portishead, after campaigners spent 25 years fighting for the connection to the city to be reinstated.

"At the moment the business case is predicated on one train an hour and what we hope obviously is that that can be improved in the future," said Bell.

The line to Portishead shut in 1964 as part of the Beeching Cuts, however work is now under way to rebuild around eight miles of track along with two new stations in Portishead and Pill.

North Somerset Council and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (Weca) are working jointly on the project.

A new line will also be added in Pill so that trains can pass each other, with the restored line providing an hourly direct train from Portishead to Bristol Temple Meads in about 25 minutes.

It was announced in July 2025 that the government would underwrite the project with a multi-million pound investment.

Bell told BBC Radio Bristol on Monday that "funding pressures" had meant the authorities behind the plans were looking to cut back amenities at the railway stations, but a series of "good compromises" had been reached to improve them.

"We have [now] got covered platforms, good accessibility, availability of some parking and I think it's going to be an amazing asset for people in Portishead, Pill and beyond," he added.

As for making the hourly service more regular, Bell added: "The challenge that we've got is that we've had to get commitments from the Department for Transport, not just on the cost of building the line itself, but also if any subsidy on rail services is required.

"They're understandably reluctant to over commit until we've proven demand but I hope that it's something that will improve and grow as we as we get open."

It is hoped the line will be fully operational by 2028.

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