Today we made a video outside the Department for Transport where Secretary of State Chris Grayling once again failed to secure the funding which is essential for the Portishead Railway Line and MetroWest Phase One. This is despite the fact that Chris Grayling said that funding would come “sooner rather than later”. Here in London (in 2016) £1,800 was spent on Transport Investment per person, where as in the South West (in 2016) it was £220 one of the lowest funded regions in the UK. This is a clear disparity between the two regions. The Portishead Railway Line and the MetroWest Phase One altogether was expected to add £3.30 in added value for every £1 spent on it. It’s a good investment much needed by the local community. So we’re calling on Chris Grayling to reconsider his decision and to fully fund the Portishead Line. We’re going to the West of England Combined Authority Meeting on Friday to see what the plans are locally to fully fund the railway.