The base estimated cost of the project at £37m seems a lot given that most the track along the dis-used section of line to Portishead is still there?
The original branch line was designed in the nineteenth century as a passenger train line only. After the curtailment of passenger services in the 1960’s the line as far as Portbury was re-opened in 2002 for freight trains to serve Royal Portbury Dock (which itself opened in the early 1990’s). The branch line will continue to be used by freight trains in the future, given the contribution that freight trains make to reducing the number of heavy goods vehicles on our congested roads. Royal Portbury Dock makes a strong contribution towards economic growth across the West of England and ensuring the Port has access to sufficient transport capacity will support growth into the future. A large proportion of the costs of the project relate to the fact that the branch line from Bristol to Portbury Dock Junction is largely single track. In order to accommodate both freight trains and passenger trains, the branch line requires substantial upgrade works, in terms of line geometry, line operating
