London-style underground rail link between Southampton and Netley proposed

A new underground rail link between Southampton and Netley has been put forward as part of Transport for the South East’s (TfSE) £45 billion plan to support Southampton’s growth and regeneration

The proposal is outlined in TfSE’s Strategic Investment Plan for the South East, which suggests a core package of measures, and an enhanced rail package for Southampton and Portsmouth totalling £4.6 billion in capital construction costs.

The line would link Southampton Central to the Netley line, which would increase network capacity and both provide a more direct route and cut journey times between Southampton and Portsmouth.

The journey time between the two south coast cities is currently around 42 minutes; if the plans go ahead they could allow four trains per hour on the route, cutting travel time to 30-35 minutes.

The plan also sets out a mass transit plan for Southampton which would include trams, light rail, buses and/or ferries.

Transport for the South East's outline case said: "TfSE has worked with key stakeholders to develop a longer-term package of scheme that unlock significant capacity and shorter journey times between Southampton and Portsmouth city centres.

"This could include a potential new underground link between Southampton Central and the Netley line providing a more direct route and deconflicting north-south and east-west rail movements."

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Elsewhere, the plans outline improvements to the Totton level crossing which would allow trains from Southampton to continue on to the smaller station, which is currently under-served.

The Netley line itself would be upgraded with twin tracks, increasing capacity. Other improvements include the replacement of the Northern Rail Bridge, West Quay road alignment and improved access routes to the port.

Councillor Eamonn Keogh, Cabinet Member for Transport and District Regeneration at Southampton City Council, said: “TfSE’s plans are ambitious and would completely transform the way we all travel around the region.

“We are committed to establishing Southampton as a city of opportunity, where residents, workers and visitors can enjoy the many benefits that these plans would deliver.

“Investing in these plans would significantly reduce the air pollution caused by private cars, create thousands of new jobs that would enhance the local economy, and provide much easier and cleaner ways to travel for years to come.”

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Over the next 27 years a total of £45 billion is intended to be spent on the South East, which could lead to the creation of 21,000 new jobs in transportation alone, along with countless more in construction and development to enact the plans.

A 12-week consultation on the plans is running on TfSE’s website, closing on 12 September.

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said: “This is an ambitious proposal to fully utilise the opportunities our rail network offers.

"I’m particularly supportive of a metro level of rail service within Southampton and believe this would transform the way people travel around our city.”

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Featured image credit: David Ingham/Wikimedia