18.05.18
Bid to reopen Bristol line rejected by DfT
Proposals to fund the re-opening of a Somerset rail line have been halted by the government’s refusal to finance the plans.
As part of the MetroWest project, the West of England Combined Authority’s bid for £46.9m was rejected in the DfT’s major scheme funding announcement worth up to £600m, announced yesterday.
The funds were planned to be used for the Bristol to Portishead railway line, which has been closed for over 50 years.
Deputy leader of the council, Elfan Ap Rees, said: “Many people have been working for years to progress the MetroWest scheme and North Somerset, in particular, has been lobbying ministers to take forward the Portishead rail connection.”
The councillor noted that the government had previously recognised the scheme will bring to the area and the positive local impact on the community.
“We will therefore continue our discussions with ministers to progress the scheme, as they have suggested, including seeking other funding opportunities and financing options,” he added.
The government funding that the combined authority was targeting will instead go to three major new road schemes, ranging from Yorkshire to Devon.
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