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Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership has won its bid to pilot the concept of station travel plans for four stations: Romsey, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh and St Denys (in Southampton). Funded by Hampshire County Council, Three Rivers was one of just twenty three successful bids out of over ninety applications submitted to the Association of Train Operating Companies (a national group representing train companies' views). The Partnership comprises local authorities, local people and the rail industry who work together to promote local train and bus services and do what they can to improve stations and services. The station travel plan will consider ways of improving access to rail stations and develop ideas to encourage passengers to travel to stations without driving the car - taking the bus, cycling or walking instead. Work, under pilot status, is anticipated to take up to four years beginning with research to establish travel patterns to the four stations. The outcome of this research will inform proposals for improving access, routes and the infrastructure as well as identifying information needs and influencing publicity opportunities. Councillor Mel Kendal, Executive Member for Environment at Hampshire County Council said: "This is good news for local rail travel and yet another step in the right direction to encourage greater use of public transport. Working together with the local community is a far more effective way to bring about change. "Things are looking good for rail travel in the area: we now have a brand new direct train to Salisbury from Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, Southampton Airport and much of the Southampton suburban area. This also improves the service to Dean and Mottisfont Dunbridge and increases the number of trains between Southampton, Romsey and Salisbury to at least two every hour." As a not for profit organisation, the Three Rivers Rail Partnership works to provide local community support and promotion for the trains and their stations. Volunteer groups have been set up at Dean, Mottisfont and Dunbridge, Chandler's Ford, Romsey and Swaythling. The groups meet regularly to provide and look after flowers, distribute publicity, organise litter picks at the stations and monitor the station condition - providing feedback to the train company.
For more information visit Hampshire County Council
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