PROPOSALS to reopen a Hampshire railway line have come under fire from a district councillor representing one of the villages that would be affected.
Sue Bennison cited the "massive" cost of the project, the potential impact on bus services and the queues likely to be caused by level crossing closures.
Cllr Bennison, who represents Marchwood, said the reintroduction of passenger trains would result in "congestion, hazard and delay" on roads in the area.
Network Rail recently staged a public consultation on proposals to reopen the 100-year-old line between Totton and Hythe.
If the project is given the go-ahead people living in the Waterside area will be able to travel to Southampton and back by train.
Under the scheme, Marchwood station will be reopened and a new passenger hub built at Hythe.
Listing some of her objections Cllr Bennison said the level crossing at Main Road, Marchwood, could close 68 times a day.
She warned that tailbacks would build up in both directions, especially at school drop-off and pick-up times.
Citing the potential impact on families walking to school she added: "There will dozens of mums, buggies and dogs waiting to cross, probably spilling into the road amongst drivers frustrated and angered by the delay.
"A very significant hazard will be created but the proponents of the service are silent on solutions."
Cllr Bennison also cited the "severe impact" trains would have on people living in homes built beside the line since it closed in the 1960s.
Referring to the public consultation she added: "We were not given any concrete information on issues such as capital costs, including cost of replacing the 100-year-old track and the cost of running the service. The principal people were there just to say ‘what a jolly good idea it is’."
The councillor claimed that projected passenger numbers had been exaggerated by including Totton residents, who already had their own station.
She also dismissed suggestions that a large number of drivers using the A326 would take the train if the scheme were approved.
"If you believe that you are not living in the real world," she said.
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