Rail enthusiasts call for line revival

The founder of Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway Revival (DNSRR), Rex Hora, said the revitalisation of the disused lines, including the former Lambourn Valley Railway line - closed to passenger traffic in 1960, and to freight traffic in 1973 - would relieve pressure on local roads.
DNSRR aims to convince Network Rail, the Government and local authorities that re-opening is practical and desirable for both passengers and freight.
Mr Hora said: “The purpose of the meeting is both to inform the public about our plans and to receive feedback. “Local knowledge will help us to get things right, so please come and tell us what you know.”
The group has been galvanised by recent Government approval for the re-opening of part of the Oxford to Cambridge route as ‘East-West Rail.’
Mr Hora said: “We expect the DNSR route to become ‘North-South Rail.’ We foresee re-opening in three stages. “First, Didcot to Newbury; second, Newbury to Whitchurch; third, Whitchurch to Southampton. For the first two stages we plan to follow the existing route as far as possible, although some deviations may be necessary.
“South of Whitchurch, the route is still under discussion. Initially, it may be desirable to route trains from Whitchurch to Southampton on existing lines via Salisbury and Romsey.”
He added: “It will be very valuable for freight and for passengers because at the moment it’s quite difficult to get from Newbury to Oxford on public transport, if you want to go by train you have got to go to Reading and from Reading to Oxford, so it’s a long way round.”
The Lambourn Valley Line originally made eight stops between Newbury and Lambourn, including at Speen, Boxford, Great Shefford and Eastbury.
Mr Hora is also researching the possibility of installing a new line through Speen to the south of Station Road, and is considering the possibility of reducing the A34 to a single-lane carriageway to make room for a railway line.
The public meeting is scheduled to take place in the Quaker Meeting House in Highfield Road, Newbury, on Thursday, June 26, from 8pm.
For more information on the group, visit the website: www.didcotnewburyandsouthamptonrailway.co.uk