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A Rail line which runs into Bristol is to get a spring clean. Residents of Portishead are being urged to join a volunteer force to clear the town's old railway line of brambles and overgrowth.
It is part of a campaign to bring the track, which runs from the town along the Avon Gorge into Bristol, back to life.
The passenger service stopped running in 1964 when the line was axed.
But in December 2001, part of the line was reopened at a cost of ú21 million for freight trains to run from Royal Portbury Dock to the national rail network.
The Portishead Railway Action Group and Portishead Heritage Rail Project have been campaigning to get the remainder of the line reopened to ease traffic congestion on the A369 route into Bristol.
But transport minister Charlotte Atkins said during a debate in the House of Commons in January that it was unlikely to be reinstated "in the forseeable future".
However, town councillor David Pasley said the track should be kept clear of brambles in case Government officials come to look at the line in the future.
He said: "The railway line itself is still intact, along with most of the three-mile stretch between Portishead and Portbury, and is in good visible order. But the track is heavily covered in brambles in places, which is in danger of obscuring the line.
"If Government officials came to look at the track, they would quickly assume that it is too far gone with nature having taken over.
To volunteer, contact Mr Pasley on 01275 842 402 or email him at councillor@ davidpasley.com
