MPs have voiced their disappointment after Southampton and Eastleigh were not selected to be the home of a new railway body. 

Both places had previously entered a government competition to welcome the headquarters of Great British Railways - a state-owned organisation due to oversee rail transport from 2024.

Citing the two areas' rich railway history, the bids saw councillors and MPs make the case for the headquarters of the new public body to be based in the area. 

Despite their efforts, Southampton and Eastleigh have not made the shortlist.

READ MORE: Train travel to be overhauled by new body Great British Railways

Southampton Itchen MP, Royston Smith, has slammed the government over the decision, arguing that Southampton has been overlooked "yet again".

He said: "I am very, very disappointed that Southampton has been overlooked yet again, and I have made my views known to those still in Government and some of the candidates now running to be PM.

"In a conversation with Rishi Sunak last night, I reiterated that Levelling Up is about opportunity not geography.

"Currently I see no evidence of that in Southampton and [I] will be supporting any candidate who understands the challenges my constituents face and has solutions to those challenges."

Mr Smith had already spoken out about the north being prioritised over the south in the government's levelling up agenda after Bradford won the title of UK City of Culture 2025. 

Eastleigh MP, Paul Holmes led the charge for the town to enter the competition earlier this year. 

Although Eastleigh successfully reached the shortlist, it lost out in the public vote. 

Vowing to continue his fight, Mr Holmes said: "I am of course disappointed by the result of the competition, but I give my congratulations to the shortlisted locations for their win.

"Eastleigh has a rich railway heritage, and would have been an excellent site for the Great British Railways headquarters.

"The fight isn’t over yet, and I will be campaigning for Eastleigh to become the home of the GBR regional headquarters.

"Our area has skilled workers, great connections, and a vibrant community – Eastleigh is a strong contender for welcome investment."

The six locations through to the next stage of the contest are Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Doncaster, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and York. 

There will now be a public vote so people can choose the town or city they think makes the best case. 

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