Rail link campaign heads to Downing Street

9:05am Wednesday 14th November 2007

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CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a rail-link bus service are taking their battle to Downing Street.

Protest group Save Our Bus have vowed to fight South West Trains' decision to axe their Romsey to Winchester rail-link bus service next month, and are planning a mass bus trip to London next week to highlight their campaign.

It follows a series of protest events including a ride on the threatened bus service where passengers donned Santa outfits and Scrooge gear to show their anger at suddenly ending the 11-year service two weeks before Christmas.

Organisers say the campaign has now gathered thousands of signatures in a petition in support of saving the bus route and will present the petition to the Government on November 22.

"We are looking at a huge amount of support and the possibility of filling up a double-decker bus," said campaign leader Matt O'Connor.

"We want to present the signatures to Downing Street and get MPs on our side to raise a question about it in the House of Commons," he added.

As well as thousands of residents, the campaign has been given cross-party support by Liberal Democrat Romsey MP Sandra Gidley, councillors from both Romsey and Winchester, and prospective parliamentary candidates for both areas.

South West Trains says it is axing the Monday to Saturday route, which stops at Ampfield, Hursley, and Woodley, because not enough rail passengers use it to connect to trains at Winchester rail station and it is losing the company almost £100,000 a year.

But campaigners say they need the service which has become a lifeline between the communities. The service is due to end on December 8 and the revised 66 timetable starts on Monday, December 10.