Boost for plans to reopen Hampshire rail line
The Waterside Line shut to passengers in 1966
Last updated 29th Nov 2022
There's a boost for people campaigning to get a train track along the edge of the New Forest reopened.
84 percent of those who responded to a Network Rail consultation this summer backed the move.
The Waterside Line between Southampton and Hythe closed to passengers in 1966 and the organisation's looking into reinstating it.
Hythe District Councillor, Mark Clark (Furzedown & Hardley), a Hythe resident and a regular London rail commuter said:
“We welcome the huge engagement by the general public in this consultation. The consultation produced over 1500 responses resulting in an 84% in favour of the line reopening to passengers.
‘This is an excellent result and follows the recent HCC Waterside Transport strategy report that recorded strong support for reopening the railway.
“The Liberal Democrats have consistently argued over many years for the reopening of the line.
"We have always wanted to encourage people out of their cars by providing an alternative, secure, robust and value-for-money public transport system.
“We can all see the challenges that will face us across the Waterside when the development at Fawley and the freeport proposals come online.
“None of us wants to see gridlock across our area. Working together with the bus companies, Hythe Ferry, and now Network Rail will see some alleviation of pressure on the ever busier A326.”
Feedback to Network Rail received as a result of the consultation will now be fed into design development.