Government officials have finally given planning permission to restore the Portishead rail line, but there are still a few more barriers to overcome before the first passengers will be travelling from Temple Meads along the Avon Gorge.
Ministers have finally approved a Development Consent Order - which gives planning permission and environmental consent to the restoration of the line all the way from Parson Street in Bedminster, past Ashton Gate Stadium, out along the Somerset side of the Avon Gorge and into Portishead itself.
But, contrary to other media reports, the line has not - yet - got the go-ahead from the Secretary of State. The final decision on whether or not the Department for Transport will back the business case for the restoration of the line and fully fund the multi-million project that has been in the pipeline for more than 30 years, still has not been taken.
