PROPOSALS to reopen a Hampshire rail route could be hit by a major delay, one of the project's strongest supporters has warned.

County councillor David Harrison fears it may be years before the government decides whether to proceed with the scheme, which would see the restoration of passenger services on the Totton to Hythe line.

Posting on social media Cllr Harrison said he had received "mixed messages" about the future of the route, which has been freight-only since the 1960s.

It comes after a meeting between New Forest MP Julian Lewis and the rail minister, Wendy Morton.

Daily Echo: Passenger services on the Totton to Hythe branch line ceased in the 1960s.Passenger services on the Totton to Hythe branch line ceased in the 1960s. (Image: Chris Yandell, Newsquest)

Dr Lewis told Ms Morton that the proposal to reopen the line should not prejudice plans to give the A326 an £80m upgrade.

Cllr Harrison said: "A resident has received a letter which suggests it may be a few months yet before a final decision is made and that she is still considering the business case.

"Of course, it does not help that Covid has meant travelling by rail has dropped by about 20% from pre-Covid levels.

"This has prompted government to try and make savings to reflect the loss of income, and now we have the prospect of train drivers taking strike action. This is not the ideal time for government to be making decisions about investing in railways.

"It may mean the project will be put on the back burner for a future government to progress. I do think it will eventually happen."

Daily Echo: Passenger services on the Totton to Hythe line ceased in the 1960s.Passenger services on the Totton to Hythe line ceased in the 1960s.

Cllr Harrison, who represents Marchwood and Totton South, told the Daily Echo: "I think the recent problems with railways means it could be many months or even years before a government is prepared to commit to the project."

A public consultation is due to be carried out over the summer.

Ms Morton said: "This is the right occasion to present the opportunities and benefits of the proposal but also to understand and gauge the level of concern about specific issues, or indeed support, that the residents of the Waterside area have for the scheme."

Work "over the next six months" would aim to ascertain if the scheme would benefit the community as well as being affordable and sustainable.

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