Bristol’s new railway station officially opens

An opening ceremony has been held for Bristol’s first new railway station in almost a century.

Portway Park & Ride station between Shirehampton and Avonmouth connects the existing park and ride site with the Severn Beach railway line.

From Tuesday morning, the single-platform station will offer passengers half-hourly services between Bristol Temple Meads and Avonmouth, and an hourly service to Severn Beach.

The £5.8m station was opened on Monday with speeches from government transport secretary, Mark Harper, West of England Combined Authority mayor, Dan Norris, and Bristol City Council’s cabinet member for transport, Don Alexander.

The three rode in a train from Bristol Temple Meads to the new station, before addressing a crowd.

Harper said: “Today’s opening of Portway Park & Ride station is the latest example of this government’s plan to invest in infrastructure and grow the economy.

“It will provide a boost to Bristol and its surrounding area by improving local transport links while connecting passengers to business hubs and thousands of high-skilled job opportunities.”

Norris added: “Passengers are pleased that the new Portway Park & Ride Railway station is opening – the first new station built in this incredible city since the Roaring 20s.

“Delivering for local people is what our multi-million-pound Reverse Beeching programme is all about.

Dan Norris, Don Alexander and Mark Harper were among the first to set foot on the new Portway Park & Ride station platform – photo: WECA

“This is undoubtedly a good day for Bristolians and the West of England region, and I’m proud it’s been made possible by a substantial £3m-plus investment from my West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

“But this is just the beginning. We need to press ahead with work to give even more residents access to new stations as we strive to meet our ambitious West of England net-zero-by-2030 targets.”

Don Alexander spoke at the opening in place of mayor Marvin Rees, who did not attend as planned. Alexander, who is also the councillor for the ward the station is in, told Bristol24/7 he did not know why Rees was absent.

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He said: “I am incredibly proud and delighted to open Bristol’s first railway station in 96 years. Portway Park & Ride station will offer local people and commuters an efficient and sustainable travel option.

“Having boosted the number of free parking spaces at our park and ride site, it offers commuters more options to park up and catch a train or the bus.

“Completion of the railway station highlights our commitment to developing modern and accessible travel solutions.

“As we look toward a future of improved connectivity through a mass transit system, Portway Park & Ride is a key step on our journey towards a better connected Bristol and South West.

“We are grateful for the support and collaboration of our project partners and eagerly anticipate the positive impact this station will have on our city.”

Portway Park & Ride is part of the MetroWest programme of works which include the reopening of both the Portishead and Henbury lines with new stations at Henbury, North Filton and Ashley Down.

It is the first new railway station to be opened as part of MetroWest programme, and becomes the first new station in Bristol since Parson Street was opened in 1927.

Main photo & videos: Charlie Watts

Read next:

• Bristol’s first new railway station in almost a century to open
• New train station will impact bus and cycling routes
• Work starts to build Bristol’s first railway station in almost a century

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