A HAMPSHIRE MP is meeting a government minister on Tuesday to discuss plans to reopen a rail route that closed to commuters in the 1960s.

Network Rail and other organisations are keen to see the restoration of passenger services on the Totton to Hythe line, which has been a freight-only route since the 1960s.

Julian Lewis, Tory MP for New Forest East, has secured a meeting with rail minister Wendy Morton and her officials.

Daily Echo: The former Marchwood station, part of a branch line that has not seen passenger services since the 1960s.The former Marchwood station, part of a branch line that has not seen passenger services since the 1960s. (Image: Chris Yandell, Newsquest)

Dr Lewis fears the restoration of passenger services would cause congestion on roads with level crossings as well as threatening the viability of local bus services and the Hythe Ferry.

He aired his concerns in a letter to Ms Morton's predecessor, Chris Heaton-Harris, last November.

He said: "I am not against the proposal in principle, provided it can be made to work without creating unacceptable disadvantages."

If the scheme goes ahead people will be able to travel all the way from Hythe to Southampton by train, easing pressure on roads.

Supporters of the project include David Harrison, Liberal Democrat councillor for Marchwood and Totton South, who is also lobbying the government.

Daily Echo: Part of the freight-only Totton to Hythe railway since, which has not seen passenger services since the 1960s.Part of the freight-only Totton to Hythe railway since, which has not seen passenger services since the 1960s.

In a letter urging Ms Morton to back the scheme he says: "It's an 'oven ready' project that can go ahead without many of the things that normally get in the way.

"It is a very rare example of most of the infrastructure being in place, with little in the way of planning or environmental issues normally associated with railway plans."

The letter says the plan is "extremely popular with the vast majority of local people".

Citing the line's proximity to bus routes and the ferry it adds: "They won't really be in competition with one another because joint ticketing arrangements will persuade significant numbers of people to leave the car at home and enjoy the benefits of different modes of travel.

"As with any project worth doing there are some issues that need to be addressed.

"A minority of objections have been raised. Clearly, some attention will need to be given to the issue of train gate closures and how best these can be mitigated.

"I don't think any of these concerns constitute a justifiable reason not to proceed, especially when you fully consider the economic, social and environmental benefits."

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