And more widely, had current attitudes to preservation of everything existed in history we would have virtually none of our great cathedrals, few of our stately homes, far fewer urban Georgian buildings - as many / most of them replaced older, “historical “ structures. Come to think of it - not many of our great railway stations either (ok - it might have saved us from Euston and New Street…!)
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Portishead Approved - Construction Updates Thread - No speculation
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tumbles
Member
Ironically I think the 2nd Portishead station was a bit of a loss. It was a very nice bit of brutalist design - certainly the platform canopies.
Would be inclined to agree - we have a couple of examples of larger 1950s stations in Banbury and Chichester - but I'm struggling to think of any smaller stations still basically intact on the national network, though there is Bury Bolton Street, and certainly no termini, to the best of my knowledge. Not sure it really counts as "brutalist" though - that's New Street signalbox.
The second Portishead station building survived for years as the kiosk of a petrol station, I think it was only demolished in the 90s. Would have been nice to have had the station on that site, very central.
I’m wondering if the demolition of Pill station will reveal any interesting relics, whether the contractor has a remit to look out for such things if planning has any heritage requirements. It is a mundane building but might be a few hints to the former used hidden away. I’m also not sure if the single story part on the right side is a later addition following rail use or not - the demolition picture does seem to indicate it was added later but the style doesn’t seem like a late 20th Century building.
I’m wondering if the demolition of Pill station will reveal any interesting relics, whether the contractor has a remit to look out for such things if planning has any heritage requirements. It is a mundane building but might be a few hints to the former used hidden away. I’m also not sure if the single story part on the right side is a later addition following rail use or not - the demolition picture does seem to indicate it was added later but the style doesn’t seem like a late 20th Century building.
tumbles
Member
Sometime in the 80s..
Can't recall when it was knocked down, possibly when Waitrose/Shell took over the garage
Can't recall when it was knocked down, possibly when Waitrose/Shell took over the garage
Assuming they’re new (not second hand) escorts and Cortinas that photo dates to the second half of the 70s not the 80s!
BasildonBob
Member
I'm going to go with 1980, based on the petrol price of £1.34 a gallon (ah, fond memories) and the fact that the fact that the Cortinas are Mark Vs.
tumbles
Member
Actually surprisingly large footprint, amazed that BR hadn't flogged it off.
zwk500
Veteran Member
Fantastic to see tangible progress towards opening the line.
tumbles
Member
Latest update posted on the official NR facebook page
www.facebook.com
Work is in full swing to rebuild the Portishead Line. Here's what we've been up to so far. | The Portishead Line
Work is in full swing to rebuild the Portishead Line. Here's what we've been up to so far.
www.facebook.com
tumbles
Member
Some pictures from today. Not very exciting but lots going on.
Work at Portishead station site continues. One way road system comes in to place next week. Below is what is mostly the car park, the station will be where the green bus is:
Looking down from Sheepway, this is the line running into where Portishead Station will be - originally double tracked from this bridge)
Underneath the Royal Portbury Docks Approach Road (from J19 roundabout) - this is where the short lived Portbury Docks Shipyard Spur was on the left. Track removal has not got this far yet. The track will be slightly aligned more right to allow for the cycle/walkway to remain when the line is operational (with appropriate fencing)
Marsh Lane Bridge - works on this finished ahead of schedule. They've done a really nice job repointing this and tidying its fencing etc.
The work compound at the bottom of Pill Station - where famously young ones was filmed. These were the coal sidings for a while. Staff were busy working away on a Saturday. Presumably as part of the widening of the trackbed past the station to the docks junction - which will be two tracks.
Looking down at Pill Station, the vegetation clearance in Feb is already looking like it'll be required again due to the variable weather we've had! Workers visible in distance, probably due to no paths running on the line at weekends (I think!)
Remains of the Pill Station buildings (topside) now levelled and land flattened. This will be a small car park mostly for accessibility requirements.
Work at Portishead station site continues. One way road system comes in to place next week. Below is what is mostly the car park, the station will be where the green bus is:
Looking down from Sheepway, this is the line running into where Portishead Station will be - originally double tracked from this bridge)
Underneath the Royal Portbury Docks Approach Road (from J19 roundabout) - this is where the short lived Portbury Docks Shipyard Spur was on the left. Track removal has not got this far yet. The track will be slightly aligned more right to allow for the cycle/walkway to remain when the line is operational (with appropriate fencing)
Marsh Lane Bridge - works on this finished ahead of schedule. They've done a really nice job repointing this and tidying its fencing etc.
The work compound at the bottom of Pill Station - where famously young ones was filmed. These were the coal sidings for a while. Staff were busy working away on a Saturday. Presumably as part of the widening of the trackbed past the station to the docks junction - which will be two tracks.
Looking down at Pill Station, the vegetation clearance in Feb is already looking like it'll be required again due to the variable weather we've had! Workers visible in distance, probably due to no paths running on the line at weekends (I think!)
Remains of the Pill Station buildings (topside) now levelled and land flattened. This will be a small car park mostly for accessibility requirements.
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Annetts key
Established Member
@tumbles thanks for the update 
Pete_uk
On Moderation
Very interesting photos, thank you.
tumbles
Member
@tumbles does this mean you have accepted the role as the forums photographer for updates as the works progress, until it is complete?
Great photos BTW, it's great to see this project finally being realised after so many decades of campaigning.
I will do my best. That is my long run route - circa 13-15 miles - so maybe not every week!
tumbles
Member
Not much to report - the work to remodel the roundabout where Portishead station will sit is ongoing. This is going to be the longest part of the works
This is looking across to where the old line ran down to the 2nd station. The road will diverted to allow space to have the station where I am taking pic from.
The first of the two sheepway bridges is due to have strengthening work starting next week. This will be similar to what they did with the marsh lane bridge pics in my last post. Once this is complete they will move onto the second sheepway bridge which is next to the old Portbury station.
There is further heras type fencing visible further along the line suggesting line clearance work is going to restart shortly.
Work is still on going on the active line at Pill to move the existing track bed to the right hand side.
This is looking across to where the old line ran down to the 2nd station. The road will diverted to allow space to have the station where I am taking pic from.
The first of the two sheepway bridges is due to have strengthening work starting next week. This will be similar to what they did with the marsh lane bridge pics in my last post. Once this is complete they will move onto the second sheepway bridge which is next to the old Portbury station.
There is further heras type fencing visible further along the line suggesting line clearance work is going to restart shortly.
Work is still on going on the active line at Pill to move the existing track bed to the right hand side.
Snow1964
Established Member
A couple of drop in events explaining reopening work, that were cancelled last week due to heat have now been rescheduled for 14 and 16 July
peig-pc.gov.uk
Portishead to Bristol railway – drop in sessions
Please see this information from Network Rail: Rebuilding the Portishead to Bristol railway I’m getting in touch with the new dates for our community drop-in events. They will now take...
peig-pc.gov.uk
Snow1964
Established Member
Network Rail has released some artists impressions etc, which had been shown at the community drop in events
www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
First look at new Portishead and Pill stations as railway restoration progresses
New artist’s impressions of Portishead and Pill stations have been unveiled, in a major milestone for the £200m Portishead to Bristol railway line.
www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
See they’re creating a new sub-class of 165 for the purpose!Network Rail has released some artists impressions etc, which had been shown at the community drop in events
First look at new Portishead and Pill stations as railway restoration progresses
New artist’s impressions of Portishead and Pill stations have been unveiled, in a major milestone for the £200m Portishead to Bristol railway line.
Network Rail has released some artists impressions etc, which had been shown at the community drop in events
First look at new Portishead and Pill stations as railway restoration progresses
New artist’s impressions of Portishead and Pill stations have been unveiled, in a major milestone for the £200m Portishead to Bristol railway line.
Nice to see some future proofing going on with the nice long platforms.
Farigiraf
Member
Network Rail has released some artists impressions etc, which had been shown at the community drop in events
First look at new Portishead and Pill stations as railway restoration progresses
New artist’s impressions of Portishead and Pill stations have been unveiled, in a major milestone for the £200m Portishead to Bristol railway line.
Isn't it mostly surrounded by trees though? How much of the gorge and the suspension bridge will actually be visible from the train?
zwk500
Veteran Member
A decent amount will be visible as the line runs right along the shore near the bridge. I suspect you'll get less views from the new line than you do from the existing Severn Beach line though.
Farigiraf
Member
I guess even if the views from the train will be limited, the Clifton Suspension Bridge itself will become a great trainspotting location in addition to being a national landmark
KevinTurvey
Member
- Joined
- 9 Oct 2016
- Messages
- 261
I've looked at the Network Rail video and can't help thinking the car park density looks a bit on the low side. Can they not rejig to provide more spaces on here - I suspect it will be full by 07:00
zwk500
Veteran Member
Only if you've got the head for it! Although I wouldn't advise anybody trying to set up on the bridge footpaths themselves, they're not particularly wide, often 1 or the other of them is closed for maintenance, and you've got the fencing all over them so obstructed views. A quick snap is not going to do any harm (plenty of people snapping the river anyway), but there's better vantage points of the gorge where somebody could sit for a while without getting in anybodys way too much.I guess even if the views from the train will be limited, the Clifton Suspension Bridge itself will become a great trainspotting location in addition to being a national landmark
You’re also likely to come to the attention of people whose time and efforts need to be saved for those really intending to jump. Admittedly, toting camera equipment is a pretty good giveaway.
tumbles
Member
This surprised me somewhat as some of the cutback on the original plans was to reduce the platform length to 3 car. Either they've found some way of doing it or its not to scale...
They have cut a fair lot of vegetation back - excluding the protected whitebeam - so imagine you will get some idllic views of... Sea Mills and the Portway traffic!
Second car park is over the road from it, the one by the station is mostly accesilbilty spaces:
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Network Rail has released some artists impressions etc, which had been shown at the community drop in events
First look at new Portishead and Pill stations as railway restoration progresses
New artist’s impressions of Portishead and Pill stations have been unveiled, in a major milestone for the £200m Portishead to Bristol railway line.
Not seing any Pill images, not that it'll be anything too different to what is there already.
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zwk500
Veteran Member
From the drawings on the planning application, the platforms look to be roughly 120m operational length, so capable of a 5-car. Regrettably I can't find a specific dimension in any drawing on paperwork publicly online, and the latest TPRs don't have Portishead listed yet. Those drawings could have been superseded from the planning application, of course.
Changing the length down to 3-car might be more fuss than it's worth as a secondary exit is shown at the far end. Although anything's possible.
thelongestroad
Member
- Joined
- 4 Dec 2011
- Messages
- 591
Do you have any more information about that?