EXTRA funding to ensure the creation of a Portishead to Bristol rail link has been earmarked.

A business case submitted to the Department for Transport last December identified a £30 million gap in funding due to delays, inflation and rising costs.

Now, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and North Somerset Council (NSC) have joined forces to pledge the shortfall – with £27m coming from the mayoral combined authority and £3m from NSC.

The additional funding from the mayoral combined authority is set to be ratified at their March Committee meeting, with NSC’s contribution to be approved at their Council meeting this month.

Should both be approved, approval from the DfT could quickly follow and work starting between Portishead and Pill soon after.

Councillor Mike Bell, NSC leader and executive member for major projects, said: “The reopening of the Portishead to Bristol rail line is set to be a transformative project for our area, connecting 50,000 people back into the rail network so that they can use a regular and sustainable transport service to reach a wealth of opportunities across the south west.

“Not only would this essential investment in local communities slash travel times in half and reduce car commuting by 5.5%, it would also unlock an estimated £43 million in economic growth every year.

“This makes the Portishead to Bristol rail line a scheme of significant long-term benefit and something we’re proud to be pushing forward in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority, the Department for Transport and Network Rail.

“The additional funding from both the West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council would close the gap on this shovel ready scheme, bringing us ever closer to the first trains making their journeys in 2027 – the first passenger trains to do so since the line was originally closed almost 60 years ago.

“As ever, I’d like to thank everyone who has put the work in over the past few years to get this vital project so close to construction. In particular, I’d like to thank Mayor Dan Norris for his strong support and North Somerset MP Sadik Al-Hassan for his continued backing.”