HAMPSHIRE County Council is urging rail users to make their voices heard in the Department for Transport’s (DfT) consultation for the next South Western rail franchise to be awarded in 2017.

The new franchise will give permission to operate trains from the Hampshire area to London for a fixed period, along with the operation of the majority of stations under leases granted by Network Rail.

Councillor Seán Woodward, Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council, said: “While the County Council will be putting in a formal response to this consultation, individuals can also make their views known to the Department for Transport. The train operating franchise which serves this area is used by many Hampshire residents, and so I would urge people to take this opportunity to have their say on the DfT’s proposals, as the details of the tender for train operating companies are put together.”

The current franchise for the main train operator in Hampshire, South West Trains, expires in 2017. The Government’s Department for Transport has begun the process for awarding a new franchise, having launched a consultation in November which will be followed by invitations to train operating companies to tender for the contract in April 2016 and a new franchise award in February 2017.

Consultation responses need to be made directly to the Department for Transport by 9th February 2016 at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/south-western-rail-franchise