Steve Brine meets rail-link bus campaigners at Winchester Railway Station.
The campaign calling on South West Train bosses not to axe the Romsey to Winchester rail-link bus is attracting widespread support.
Fathers 4 Justice front man, Matt O'Connor, is behind the "Mutiny on the Buses" campaign to keep the service on the road.
Campaigners caught the early bus from Romsey this morning (Friday November 9 2007) arriving at Winchester Railway Station at 8am. Campaigners riding the bus, dressed in santa gear, were met by Prospective Winchester MP, Steve Brine, and the leader of Winchester City Council, George Beckett.
Campaigners spent time talking with commuters and collecting signatures for their petition.
Steve Brine says; “I am concerned about the changes being proposed, especially the possible effect of even more cars coming into Winchester city centre and trying to park in our already overflowing station car parks. There is clearly demand for a bus link between Romsey and Winchester. All stakeholders, including both councils, Peter Symonds College, IBM in Hursley and the train operating companies must be brought together through the Rail Link working group to find a long-term solution.”
Cllr Beckett, who is also ward councillor for the village of Hursley (which sits on the route of the threatened bus) added: “I will ensure continued support by the City Council for the Rail Link working group to explore how we can keep this service.”
Prospective Conservative MP for Romsey, Caroline Nokes, is also supporting the campaign and spoke at a packed public meeting held in Romsey on November 1 2007.
Pictured above are; Nadine Taylor (as scrooge), Steve Brine (centre) and Cllr George Beckett (grey suit).
LINKS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN
Join the Facebook Group for Save Our Bus
Visit the Save Our Bus campaign website