Arup has been appointed to undertake the outline design for Phase 1 of the MetroWest project in Bristol.

The first phase marks the beginning of a £100 million investment in the area's rail infrastructure.

Network Rail has contracted Arup to provide multi-disciplinary railway design services including track, drainage, civils, structures, telecoms, signalling power, points heating, OLE, M&E and Geotechnical engineering including environmental consulting.

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The project will be subject to the DCO (Development Consent Order) process, with design input to be provided by Arup.

Phil Harrison, Project Director, said: "This project will greatly enhance the area's transport links and play a key role in the continued economic growth of the area."

The West of England Joint Transport Board will oversee the project.

A new station will also be developed at Portishead as part of the works, with Pill station and 5km of previously disused line to be reopened. The line will restore the rail link between Portishead and Bristol city centre.

Enhancement works will also be carried out at Bathampton and Avonmouth.

(LM)