FOLLOWING the article on the Fawley railway line I would like to outline the county council’s dedication to thoroughly explore the potential of this project, and explain that the decision to put the project on hold was tabled because investigations so far do not meet the business case requirements of Network Rail.

This is essential if the scheme is to get their authorisation. If anything should change significantly we could look again at the project.

Passenger train services on the Fawley branch ceased in 1966, but in 2009 the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) report Connecting Communities suggested that the business case for reintroducing passenger services to the Fawley line was potentially viable.

We brought together interested parties in 2009 and together we funded the first stage in this process the standard Network Rail GRIP 2 study (Governance for Railway Investment Projects) which looked at the general feasibility of a service, where stations might be and different timetable options.

Network Rail is the infrastructure manager of the national rail network. Any new line opening has to follow the GRIP process and can only proceed with Network Rail authorisation. Network Rail requires a full business case for every project.

The initial report was sufficiently encouraging for Hampshire County Council to commission a more detailed GRIP 3 study, the next step in the process. The GRIP 3 stage looks at deliverability and viability, in particular whether Network Rail and Department for Transport criteria can be met.

As part of the study, detailed modelling to assess potential demand was undertaken, and technical and operational requirements assessed.

For this reason the study was developed in conjunction with Network Rail and South West Trains.

The results of the latest investigations were presented to me so I could determine whether to commit further resources to the project at this time.

I believe further consultation with local members and interested parties following the publication of the latest GRIP 3 study should now take place.

The report shows that although a new service is operationally possible and could make a marginal reduction in traffic congestion on local roads in the corridor from Waterside through Totton to Southampton, it does not meet the business case requirements of Network Rail.

This is because there is insufficient demand to justify another public transport option at the current time.

Hampshire County Council has promoted this scheme for nearly four years so naturally we are disappointed at the GRIP 3 results.

Cllr Sean Woodward, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member forEconomy, Transport and Environment