THE RAILWAY Children could return to Hampshire as the Watercress Line is seeking to take school children off buses and put them on the rails.

The new scheme would see pupils travelling to and from secondary school by train between Alresford and Alton.

The Mid-Hants Railway, which owns the line, is in talks with Hampshire County Council over a "school bus" contract.

If successful, the proposal would see scores of children taking the train every day between the two towns stopping at Ropley, Medstead and Four Marks.

Unfortunately for the steam buffs, the children would not catch steam trains. Instead, the railway would acquire small diesel trains.

A meeting between the railway and the council was held a couple of months ago and another is being arranged for December.

Mid-Hants Railway has recently got new senior managers who are keen to maximise its use as more than just a weekend attraction.

Bob Gordon, a former high-flying businessman and the recently-appointed sales and administration manager, said: "The idea is to take buses off the A31. The road is fairly congested. There are too many buses and this is a service that we could offer. This is something for the community."

The service would run three round-trips in the morning and then three in the evening.

Mr Gordon said: "The feedback has been very positive so far. There have been no negative comments. I have been told there may be money available to support the venture." He said full-time drivers would be appointed and diesel multiple units acquired similar to those that ran in Hampshire from Southampton to Eastleigh, Portsmouth, Romsey and Salisbury.

Rodney Sabine, a city councillor for Alresford and chairman of the planning committee, who has been involved with the discussions, said the scheme made good sense particularly as there was investment in the railway from Alton eastwards which would attract commuters to the service.

A county spokesman confirmed exploratory talks were taking place. "We are always looking at what is cost-effective and the most efficient means of getting children to school. No decision has yet been made."

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