SWT in possible link up with the Watercress Line

THE new year could herald the way for big changes on the railways as an investigation gets under way into the possible reintroduction of a regular public commuter service between Alton and Alresford.

As Alton Line UsersÕ Association (ALUA) members continue to fight for improvements to the track to make way for increases in local freight traffic, and for platform extensions to accommodate the new 450 Desiro trains, a working party has been set up to look at the formation of a link with the Mid-Hants Watercress Line - a move which could take the pressure off over-subscribed station car parks at Alton, Winchester and Petersfield.

ALUA chairman Chris Campbell believes that, if able to support such a service in terms of personnel, rolling stock and track maintenance, a SWT/ Mid-Hants Railway (MHR) partnership could provide the key to solving much of the areaÕs commuter problems.

Alton Town Council also fully supports the idea.

Furthermore, according to deputy town clerk Greg Burt, it is an idea identified and supported by many respondents to AltonÕs emerging town plan.

The decision to form a working party has been initiated, however, by South West Trains (SWT) who are keen to examine the possibility of an early morning and later afternoon commuter service for school children and workers.

It was a move prompted, it seems, by a significant increase in the number of passengers using Alton station following the re-introduction during the summer of a half-hourly service between Alton and London Waterloo.

According to Mr Burt, surveys carried out by SWT have shown that 43 per cent of their passengers are coming from the Alton/Alresford catchment area.

ÒThis, combined with an insatiable demand for car parking at Alton station, has led SWT to think Ôoutside the boxÕ as to how to reduce the parking demand at Alton and, at the same time, make rail services more socially inclusive - for example, to allow more people from rural areas opportunities to access them,Ó he said.

An informal working party was set up, embracing representatives from SWT, the Mid-Hants Railway, Alton Town Council, ALUA, East Hampshire District Council and Hampshire County Council, with the hope that New Alresford Town Council and the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) will also come on board.

As a key player in the project, MHR has already, it seems, given considerable thought to the logistics of the service - one idea being to provide a large park and ride facility just off the A31 at Ropley station.

Delighted to be part of what could prove a congestion-beating project, ALUA remains determined also to push for increased platform lengths at Alton and Bentley to counteract the problems caused by the length of the new Desiro trains.

According to Chris Campbell, while delighted with the aesthetics of the 450 rolling stock, passengers are becoming increasingly intolerant over delays to the service caused by short platforms which force disembarkation from the first four carriages only, which takes time.

ALUAÕs other bone of contention is over the proposed introduction this year of increased freight traffic from HampshireÕs new waste recycling depot and an expanding oil terminal at Holybourne.

ÒIt is essential that Hampshire Waste should move its recycled material by train rather than road and in order to do this we have to press the SRA to instigate the re-doubling of all or part of the Alton to Farnham lineÓ stressed Mr Campbell.

When quizzed about SWTÕs proposal to increase rail fares by around four per cent, following the governmentÕs decision to withdraw inflation capping, Mr Campbell said that if the money is used to improve the service then he would have no gripe.

He pointed out, however, that with one passenger train a day already lost in order to facilitate the running of the oil train, SWT and the SRA had a lot of catching up to do if they were to convince line users that they were getting value for money.

ÒI understand that costs have to be covered but if fares are going to go up ALUA will want to see improvements which will result in improved reliability of the service as a whole,Ó he said.

Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd 12 January 04

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