Portishead Branch Line – MetroWest Phase 1 development consent decision announced

The application was to rebuild the disused branch line between Portishead and Pill and reintroduce passenger train services to Bristol and beyond.

The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by North Somerset Council on 15 November 2019 and accepted for Examination on 12 December 2019.

Following the Examination during which the public, Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 19 July 2021.

This is the 118th Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and 45th transport application to have been examined by The Planning Inspectorate within the timescales laid down in the Planning Act 2008.

The Planning Inspectorate’s interim Chief Executive, Navees Rahman said:

“The Planning Inspectorate has now examined more than 100 nationally significant infrastructure projects since the Planning Act 2008 process was introduced, ensuring local communities, the local authority and other interested parties have had the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them.

“The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the Examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.”

The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website.

Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning

Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:

Press.office@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

The Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Programme of Projects details the proposals which are anticipated to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as applications in the coming months.