Ahead of the £70m reinstatement of a former Beeching cuts rail line in Bristol, Network Rail has launched a call for contractors to express their interest.
Contractors have until June 16, 2021 to express interest in the project, with Network Rail expected to shortlist firms in early July.
Network Rail has said it is looking for a single design-and-construct contractor to carry out the work.
The work, which will take place between Bristol Temple Meads and Portishead, is estimated in the range of £45m-£70m by completion and will see the construction of 5.5km of new railway on the now-disused Portishead line.
The Portishead line ran between Portishead and Pill and was closed in the 1960s as part of the wide-reaching Beeching cuts.
Once the line is reopened, it will run from a new station at Portishead.
As part of the contract, the chosen contractor will have to manage detailed design, surveys, civils, track, highways, buildings, telecoms and M&E work.
The works contract is set to be completed by the end of June 2024.
Under the Government’s levelling up agenda, significant funding has been set aside to support the reopening of some lines closed by the Beeching cuts, where it would support local rail transport infrastructure.
Last year, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps outlined £500m of funding to support these line reinstatements around England.
