Railwatch

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Railwatch 075 - April 1998

Wessex

By David Stevenson

On the Wight lines A new rail user group has been formed on the Isle of Wight. The organisation, known as Wight Track, has begun with a campaign to improve rail-ferry connections for travellers to the mainland via Ryde and Portsmouth.

Swanage link on track Following the overwhelming success of the Swanage Railway's extension to Corfe Castle and Norden, tracklaying is to begin on the "missing link" to join up with Railtrack at Norden. A study is also under way to determine the best way to provide year-round through services between Swanage and the national rail network at Wareham. Unlike some preserved lines, the principal aim of the Swanage Railway has been to reinstate a full passenger rail link to the resort.

Portsmouth to the North Direct services between Portsmouth and the Midlands and North are to be reintroduced by Virgin Trains in May. The return service from Blackpool via Birmingham will complement Wales & West's service to and from Liverpool. The latter, which runs via Newport and Hereford, provoked complaints from Virgin when introduced in May, 1997.

Jam tomorrow? The Bournemouth and Poole conurbation, which once had a useful local rail network that was swept away in the 1960s, is highlighted in a recent government report on the worst areas of Britain for traffic congestion. RDS members are working with other local organisations to present more acceptable solutions - not more bypasses and relief roads - to the problem.

Note: contact details (postal and email addresses, along with telephone numbers) in old editions of Railwatch out of date. Click CONTACT US for latest contact details.


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