New attempt to run passenger trains on Totton-Hythe line

Alliance Rail (Southern) is reported to be exploring the possibility of restoring passenger services on the Totton to Hythe branch line, which has been freight-only since the 1960s.

If the scheme goes ahead, the Waterside area will be provided with a regular rail service to Totton and Southampton from May 2026 onwards.

It comes after hopes the line would reopen appeared to have been dashed.

The new Labour government axed the "Restoring Our Railways" scheme after announcing it had discovered a £22bn black hole in the nation's finances.

Passenger trains will run between Marchwood and Southampton if the scheme goes ahead (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr David Harrison, who represents Totton and Marchwood, has spent years calling for the route to be reopened.

READ MORE: Public consultation reveals overwhelming support for plan to reopen rail route that closed in 1966

He said: "Rail Magazine is reporting the somewhat surprising news that we may indeed see a rail passenger service reinstated along the Waterside line.

"The decision to scrap the 'Restoring Our Railways' scheme, which included the line, was a blow to people like myself.

"Surveys carried out by Network Rail confirmed the popularity of the project. However, after investing some £7m in consultation, the business case and other studies, the project was dropped - largely due to the state of the economy after 14 years of Conservative government."

The former Hythe station has been converted into a heritage centre since the railway line closed in 1966 (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Harrison referred to the suspension of the Hythe-Southampton ferry service and a campaign to secure improvements to Waterside bus services.

READ MORE: Potential boost for plan to restore passenger services on Totton to Hythe branch line

He added: "Alliance Rail (Southern) has started an industry consultation to run an hourly service between Marchwood and Southampton Central, stopping at Totton.

"The intention is to then bring the rest of the rail line up to scratch and extend a service to Hythe and towards Fawley.

"This is an exciting development and will be broadly welcomed by the majority of people. If all goes well, we could even see a service up and running by May 2026.

"We will have to see how things develop but a choice of train or bus every half hour to and from Marchwood, as well as more frequent services from Totton to Southampton Central and back would be very welcome."

The line is still used by freight trains, which means most of the infrastructure is till in place (Image: Newsquest)

The single track railway is currently used only by trains going to and from Marchwood Port.

Hythe station has been converted into a heritage centre since the route closed to passengers in 1966. Under the previous plan to reopen the line, Marchwood station would have been upgraded and a new one built at Hythe.

Network Rail declined to comment on the latest development.