WHOEVER runs rail services in East Hampshire should have time to make changes, says a rail users group.

The government will decide later this year who will be awarded the South Western franchise from June 2017, but the rail franchise will run for less than a decade.

The East Hampshire Community Rail Partnership, whose members include East Hampshire District Council, is not happy with the time span.

The network includes services from London Waterloo to Portsmouth through Liphook, Liss, Petersfield and Rowlands Castle, and from London to Alton.

At the moment South West Trains are the service provider, but First South Western is bidding in competition for the “seven to nine year” franchise.

The rail partnership, who also numbers The South Downs National Park Authority among its members, says that isn’t long enough to make the service better.

It is “insufficient” time, it says, for the franchise holder to earn enough to invest in improvements.

In a submission to the Department of Transport, the partnership added that it believes a 15 to 20-year franchise with a mid-term review would be more sensible.

“With these short term franchises there’s not much time to make a return on investment,” said partnership member Peter Lindon of the Campaign for Rural England.

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds said he was happy that franchise would be contested.

He said: “I am pleased there will be a competitive bid for this franchise, one of the busiest routes in the country.

“This means there is a clear focus on requiring them to demonstrate how they will deliver better journeys for passengers.

“I have just completed my own submission to the public consultation run by the Department of Transport, highlighting areas of concern on both the Alton and Portsmouth lines.

“Capacity, remains a key issue for local rail users, and this needs to be addressed as a priority.

“The increase in both homes and work places coming in Whitehill and Bordon, as well as general growth and higher use of rail travel across the region, must also be taken into account.”