ALARM bells are ringing for local rail users over a consultation exercise by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) which could result in a reduction in the level of maintenance on rural and secondary lines.
The document was put out to consultation on August 1 to all train operators and statutory bodies, including local authorities, for comment by August 29.
Its basic thrust is that the SRA is looking at ways of reducing costs and asking therefore whether it should be investing more money in caring for its main inter-city passenger lines by reducing the level of maintenance on those lines which are less well used.
An SRA spokesman was keen to stress that the idea was still in the very early stages and would in no way affect the safety of the track. Nor would it mean cutting services or running fewer trains.
A spokesperson for Network Rail, based at Waterloo, said that the Alton to Farnham line was patrolled on a weekly basis by a track patrol man, on foot. Central control was then able to draw up a schedule of work which was carried out once a year when the line was closed to enable engineers to work in safety.
Any emergency work would, however, be carried out straight away.
It was, she said, impossible to comment on the impact of any future reduction in service and the SRA had given no indication as to what this might entail.
Alton Chamber of Trade and Industry chairman Mike Baker expressed concern about the future of the line and exactly what the impact of reduced maintenance would mean.
And Alton Line Users Association (ALUA) chairman Chris Campbell pointed out that his group was pushing for an upgrading of the Alton to Farnham line, which would be forced, from May next year, to deal with an increase in freight trains to serve both the Humbly Grove oil outlet at Holybourne and the new Materials Recycling Centre.
"We are already seeing interference with passenger services because the oil trains are running late. We certainly don't want any downgrading of the line - in fact we are pushing for a return to double track working to accommodate these trains," he said.
Hampshire County Council transport spokesman Mike Roberts regards the proposal as "completely unacceptable".
In a letter to The Herald this week Mr Roberts says he believes it to be an issue which needs further clarification by the SRA so that local communities are better able to assess the possible cause and effect of such action on the local line.