Portishead is one of the fastest growing towns in Europe with its population expected to rise to 28,000 over the coming years. More than 2,000 new jobs could be created as a result of housing and industrial developments.

Congestion badly affects road connections into Bristol. Bus journeys take from 50 minutes to 1hr 15mins. Although part of the former Portishead branch was reopened for freight traffic in 2001, a three-mile missing link prevents the resumption of passenger services. These ended in 1964.

A council-commissioned study, carried out by Halcrow, established a business case for the line to be relaid, with substantial flows expected in both directions. Bristol Temple Meads would be just 17 minutes from the new station at Portishead, established next to the Waitrose supermarket.

Reopening of the railway was advocated within the West of England Partnership's Joint Local Transport Plan. Gordano Councils Transport Group, comprising the town's councillors and the area's parish councils, is also supportive. Considerable backing has come from Bristol's MPs as well as local businesses. The Portishead Railway Group is actively campaigning for the railway's return to the town.

However the Department for Transport does not currently support the proposal due to the high construction costs and the possible disruption to freight services using the line as far as Pill Docks.

A single track is still in situ along parts of the three-mile disused section from Pill which North Somerset Council has acquired from British Railways Board (Residuary). Since closure, the route has been cut by Quays Road - this would have to be accommodated on a bridge. A cycle path occupies part of the former line but this was established under temporary way-leaves which can be revoked. Three unofficial paths across the trackbed would be removed and replaced by a single footbridge. All that apart, the relevant section of route is intact.

Stage 3 of Network Rail's eight-stage GRIP (Governance for Railway Investment Projects) process - which deals with 'option selection' - has been completed, with Stage 4 (single option development) likely to be finalised by the summer of 2013. Before then an environmental impact study will have to be undertaken and the trackbed cleared of rubbish and vegetation.

The council has submitted a bid for funding to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. This seeks £43.3M, with a further £4.8M to be provided by the council.

Subject to funding being forthcoming, it's hoped that construction will take place during 2016, with trains starting to run in 2017.