A GAP in funding needed to reopen the Bristol to Portishead line has been plugged after the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) confirmed it would invest £10m into the project. The line will be part of the MetroWest Phase 1 project.
At an emergency meeting of the WECA, Metro Mayor Dan Norris and Coun Steve Bridger, leader of North Somerset Council, told members they had secured £15.5m of Government cash.
The costs to rebuild and reopen the 11½ mile line have risen to £152m, leaving a shortfall of £35.5m, the final £10m being provided by North Somerset Council.
With funding in place, design work can begin. However, the project still needs a Development Consent Order (DCO) and approval for this is due by February 19, 2023. The DCO was first submitted to the planning Inspectorate in November 2019, with the decision by the Secretary of State being repeatedly deferred.
Work to rebuild the line is estimated at two years.
Next step
Dan Norris admitted there were still a number of ‘minefields’ ahead, adding: “We need that decision as soon as possible. Inflation is going through the roof and every day’s delay adds more cost. I will be chasing the Secretary of State to accelerate this process as much as
