BUS LINK COULD GET FUNDING
A bus link between Gosport and Havant could become a reality.
The government's considering funding the scheme.
Councillor Mel Kendal, Chairman of Transport for South Hampshire and Executive Member for Environment at Hampshire County Council told 107.4 The Quay, "This is great news for South Hampshire. I am really pleased the Government has taken this first step towards supporting this ground breaking and important transport scheme.
"We will now prepare a full business case and are hopeful of financial support for this vital scheme, particularly after the disappointment of the Government's decision in 2006 not to fund the light rail proposal."
South Hampshire Rapid Transit was a tram proposal to link Fareham with Portsmouth via the disused railway line to Gosport and a tunnel beneath Portsmouth Harbour.
The Government refused to fund this scheme on affordability grounds in 2006.
The new Bus Rapid Transit proposal links these communities, using the old railway line and existing roads, but not a tunnel. It is intended to serve a number of new communities, including the planned Strategic Development Area to the north of Fareham, as well as Queen Alexandra Hospital and make use of the existing bus priority corridor between Horndean, Waterlooville and Portsmouth city centre.
