Passenger services at the station declined following the Second World War, and the Beeching Report recommended the complete closure of the Portishead line.

Regular freight trains through the station began to run again in 2002 when Royal Portbury Dock was connected to the rail network.

[1][2] The station was sited in Bower Ashton at the southern end of the Avon Gorge, at the bottom of Rownham Hill and near the western bank of the river.

The ground floor also housed a coal-fired boiler and washing facilities, while upstairs was spacious living accommodation accessed by a private staircase.

From 24 to 27 January 1880, the line was relaid as 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge, and on 15 September 1880 a passing loop was brought into use through the station, east of the original track, with a new platform serving it.

[2] The station had earlier that year seen the discovery of a decapitated corpse, later identified as prominent local solicitor Edward Payne Press.

The station was also used during the war for timber traffic from the local woodlands, loaded onto trains by members of the Women's Land Army.

Other freight traffic included goods from the Ashton Containers factory and a local firm dealing in herbal medicine.

[2][6] The station became an unstaffed halt from 29 October 1962, and in 1963, the Beeching report suggested the complete withdrawal of services along the line.

[2][6] The station buildings were mostly demolished, and the site became the headquarters of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary Mounted Police and Dog Section.

[2] Freight trains continued to pass through the station, but their number decreased over time, with the line falling out of regular use from 30 March 1981.

[11][12][13] The scheme was given the go-ahead in July 2012 as part of the City Deal, whereby local councils would be given greater control over money by the government.

[13] A consultation on the plans was held between 22 June and 3 August 2015 to gather views from the community and stakeholders before moving on to detailed designs.

Due to the additional capital costs, the line will not be electrified, but the design will include passive provision for future electrification.

Subject to final business case approval, construction work is expected to start on the line in December 2021 and then take around two years to complete.