A viability study for the re-introduction of passenger trains on a branch line between Southampton and the Waterside area has been given the go-ahead by Hampshire County Council.
Following completion of the GRIP 2 study (Governance for Railway Investment Projects) - which established a business case for a passenger line serving Totton, Hounsdown, Marchwood and Hythe - Hampshire County Council and its partners* have agreed to take the next step in an eight stage process towards bringing the Waterside line back into use for passenger rail travel.
The rail line is currently in use for freight trains only and this next technical study (GRIP 3) will focus on: identifying the infrastructure that would be needed to enable the rail line to be brought into passenger use; calculating passenger demand; and determining how the scheme could be funded.
Councillor Mel Kendal, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, commented: "There is no doubt that there is potential for the development of the rail network in South Hampshire and we have had some very constructive discussions with Network Rail and South West Trains on this matter.
"The outcome of the GRIP 2 study has enabled us to develop a business case for the development of the Waterside line but there is still a great deal of technical work to be done and detail to be worked through so we are still some years away from opening the line to passengers. Nonetheless what we have established so far is encouraging and I can see that a Waterside rail line could help enormously in reducing congestion on the A326. Tackling congestion to keep all areas of Hampshire moving is a key priority for us, and we will continue to investigate any options which will improve travel and offer more choice for local residents and businesses A rail line in this area would complement the existing public transport services available in the area and offer local residents greater choice and flexibility for travel."
Passenger rail services ceased on the existing freight only line in 1966. The case for re-opening the line to passenger services is based on providing an hourly shuttle between Hythe and Southampton Central where passengers would be able to connect to services running to the West, East, London and beyond. An hourly service would mean one train an hour back and forth with a journey time of 23 minutes each way. It is not envisaged that the passenger service would extend to Fawley as this would increase the journey time to over 30 minutes each way and prevent the running of an hourly service.
The GRIP 3 study will start in the Spring. A report on the findings will then be considered by Transport for South Hampshire before any agreement is made regarding moving to stage 4 in the GRIP process.
*Waterside rail partners are Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council, New Forest National Park Authority, Hythe and Dibden Parish Council and Marchwood Parish Council.
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