IT IS encouraging to read that Network Rail are to undertake a study to open a new railway station near the proposed new Garden Town development of 6,000 homes at Welbourne (Daily Echo, February 20).

According to the article the station will eventually serve a population of 20,000 on the Fareham to Eastleigh line.

Maybe it would also be sensible to undertake another study into the possibility of reopening the Waterside Railway to Fawley as this would also serve a large number of passengers and reduce road traffic on the western approach to Southampton.

The railway could provide a passenger service between Southampton, Totton, Marchwood, Hythe town and a new station at Hythe and Fawley Parkway. New Forest District Council estimates show that the population of the parishes served by the line is in excess of 70,000. Add the number of potential passengers living out of the area needing to travel to work on the Waterside and tourists wishing to visit the Forest and the economics make sense.

Marchwood continues to suffer from over development made worse by inadequate roads. ABP plans to expand onto Dibden Bay and the new housing developments planned for the power station site at Calshot will add to the problems on the Marchwood By-Pass

The recent Tom Tom traffic survey once again rates Southampton as the 20th most congested city and highlights the problem on Redbridge Road and Redbridge causeway.

The railway may be essential if we intend to reduce traffic congestion and pollution to acceptable levels in future.

CHRIS HINDS

Southampton