From the Bristol Evening Post (and with thanks to Marc T):
The rail link between Bristol and Portishead could be reinstated as part of the transport blueprint for the region. The Local Transport Plan says the line should be brought back to meet commuter demand, which has been increased by 4,000 new homes around the town's new marina. The proposal is one of a number of initiatives to make better use of the region's rail network.
Allthough the plans say the reinstatement of the Portishead line would not come before 2011, it remains an option providing government funding is available. It still gives a glimmer of hope to campaigners fighting to reinstate the line, which last carried passengers 40 years ago.
The campaign for a rail link was boosted in December 2001 when a ú21 million line for freight trains from Royal Portbury Docks to Bristol was opened. The move meant only a small section of track at the Portishead end of the line needed to be upgraded for it to be usable. In 2002 it was estimated that the cost of laying four miles of track and building a new station would be about ú7 million.
But in January the then Transport Minister, Charlotte Atkins, said the costs involved meant it was unlikely the service would be brought back. Yesterday, North Somerset's executive member for planning and transport, Peter Burden, said it was unlikely the line would reopen before 2011. Be he vowed "I intend to keep up the pressure for it to happen.".