Regarding reintroducing a railway link into Bordon: attempts were made to preserve the Longmoor Military Railway Line between 1968 and 1969 as a steam railway, for local use.
Unfortunately this failed, due to the efforts of a few vociferous objectors who tried to claim that they spoke for the majority. This, it appears, was not true.
Local people have suggested that parish councillors at the time were bullied or browbe
aten into supporting this small group.
I cannot know whether this is so or not – I do know that I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of unsolicited support I have received from local people recently who would like to see the line restored again.
History shows that The Watercress Line, which is preserved, has been extremely successful and plays an important part in the local economy.
Liss, however, has struggled to maintain its services over the intervening years.
We are encouraged by all political parties to use public transport and, by so doing, help to alleviate global warming and climate change.
Restoring railways is, perhaps, an idea whose time has come – yet still the NIMBYs try to influence the majority for their own personal, selfish benefit.
I am delighted to hear that another line is likely to be restored and used again in the New Forest.
