Fears for Portishead rail line as it triples in cost
The cost of reintroducing passenger trains to Portishead has nearly tripled - raising fears the scheme may not go ahead.
It was originally estimated the line would cost £58 million to complete, but bosses now admit it could be as high as £175 million.
They say that transforming the line from freight-only to a 50 mile an hour service is challenging.
The soaring costs mean the project, known as MetroWest Phase I, could be recommended to be broken up into three stages:
Stage One: Upgrading Keynsham, Oldfield Park and the Severn Beach Line stations to a half hourly service.
Stage Two: Provide an initial passenger service on the Portishead Line.
Stage Three: Provide half-hourly trains on the Portishead Line.
But the delays will come as another blow to people living in one of the fastest growing towns in the South West.
Network rail say that transforming the line from freight-only to a 50 mile an hour service is challenging.
The revised cost estimate includes:
Additional costs identified following detailed technical work that has taken place. This includes an increase in the scope of the works through the Avon Gorge.
Additional costs identified by the Councils, including the need to consider an alternative road access for Ashton Vale Trading Estate and associated land acquisition and environmental mitigation.
What is MetroWest?
MetroWest is a project to re-open disused railway lines and stations to provide more local trains to ease traffic congestion on the roads.
Phase I includes the Portishead Line
Phase 2 includes the Henbury Spur and improving services on the Yate corridor.