Local Basingstoke MP Maria Miller has called a meeting with train bosses this week to identify how Network Rail will tackle chronic overcrowding on Basingstoke trains predicted by the Wessex Route Study. ‘Standing room only’ is already the norm on peak time trains on the mainline between Basingstoke and London Waterloo. Maria is bringing together MPs from along the Wessex Route to campaign for much needed investment to build more capacity into our rail system.
Maria said: “More house building in Basingstoke will only be sustainable if we have the transport systems in place to meet the demands of new residents. Plans to build thousands more houses along the Wessex line in the coming years will leave the train service unable to cope unless more, longer, faster trains are planned now.”
Maria has invited Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of the South West Trains - Network Rail Alliance to brief Members of Parliament whose constituencies form part of the main line Wessex Route, which extends from London Waterloo to Portsmouth and Weymouth and through Basingstoke to Exeter.
This briefing meeting is a further step in Maria’s campaign to secure the investment needed for the mainline Wessex Route.
Maria said: “Trains are already full to capacity at peak times with hundreds of passengers forced to stand for journeys of over one hour each day. At the moment there is no agreed plan to relieve the pressure. There is already a 20% shortfall in capacity on peak service trains to Waterloo, and a further 40% capacity increase will be needed to meet the demand forecast in 2043.”
“I have called this meeting because Members of Parliament need to work together to ensure we get the plan and the investment needed.”
“At the moment,fewer than 5% of Hampshire residents use the train to go to work. If there is more space on our trains then more people could use them for their daily commute, easing the traffic jams we have on our local roads and motorways.”