The Member of Parliament for Eastleigh, Mims Davies, has welcomed that Network Rail will be investing £2 billion more in funding for train routes across the Wessex route - a 20% increase across the next five years compared to the budget from 2014-2019.
The new funding will bring new tracks across the Wessex train network, including at Eastleigh track junction while also strengthening and refurbishing the railway bridge in Eastleigh.
Commenting, Eastleigh MP Mims Davies said:
“I know how important good rail links are to my constituents, whether they’re travelling in to Portsmouth, Southampton, schools and colleges across the south or commuting in to Waterloo – having a reliable rail service is a key part of their day.
“While I continue to stay in touch with South Western Railways over performance, Network Rail also has an important part to play in ensuring that we are able to get from A to B on time, and I therefore really welcome that they are investing this extra £2 billion in to the Wessex route.
“That said, I was disappointed to hear that our joint bid to secure funding through the Access to All Programme for Hedge End Station was not successful, and I have already met with Rail Minister Nusrat Ghani MP to find out why this was the case.
“I am keen to ensure that when the next round of funding is made available we are able to seize the initiative and secure the investment that we need in our local area, and I will continue to support my constituents in pushing for these access improvements to ensure that everyone who wants to access our town by rail is able to do so.”