‘Rejoice’ as first new train station opens in Bristol in nearly half a century - with eight more planned

The first new train station in Bristol for almost a century has been formally opened, with eight more planned across the wider region. Passengers can start using Portway train station from Tuesday, August 1, with daily services taking 24 minutes into Temple Meads.

The train station was built in the existing Portway park and ride, just off Junction 18 of the M5 near Avonmouth, costing £5.8 million. Services will run every half hour between Temple Meads and Avonmouth and hourly to Severn Beach.

The station was opened in a formal ceremony on Monday, July 31, in front of a small crowd. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Transport Secretary and the metro mayor said Portway station would encourage more people to travel by train.

Mark Harper, the transport secretary, said: “This gives you a seven day a week service, 24 minutes into the city centre, you’ve got park and ride here, you’ve got a bus interchange. It gives people who are travelling lots of choices open to them now that weren’t here before, if you’re in the locality of the station or you want to drive and park your car.”

Portway train station faced some delays in its opening, due to issues with power connections. But Mr Harper said learning from experiences with Portway would help prevent similar delays to other new stations, such as Ashley Down, which is due to open next May.

Dan Norris, the West of England metro mayor, said delays were “not uncommon”, but added he would work to make sure future planned stations were built on schedule.

Mr Norris said: “It’s been a long long time since we’ve had a new railway station in Bristol. In 1927 Parson Street was the last new station in the city, and here’s the next one — I think we need to rejoice because it’s been so long. But what’s important is that this is the first of another six in Bristol and the greater West of England region.

The six other planned stations in the West of England Combined Authority’s MetroWest project are Ashley Down, North Filton, Henbury, Portishead, Pill and Charfield. No funding has been found yet for new stations at Ashton Gate nor St Anne’s.

There are also plans outside the project’s remit for stations at Saltford and Lockleaze.

Portway train station lies in between Shirehampton and Avonmouth on the Severn Beach railway line. The park and ride was recently also expanded, with the total number of free parking spaces increasing from 555 to 792.

The first passenger trains to stop at Portway Park & Ride on Tuesday August 1 will be the 5.10am Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach, stopping at Portway at 5.34am — and the 5.53am Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads, stopping at Portway at 6.06am.