PROJECTED RAILWAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PORTSMOUTH AND LONDON.
A project is being prepared for giving to Portsmouth additional means of railway communication with the metropolis. It already possesses two lines—London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway, and the London and South-western, but both of these are circuitous routes, being about 22 miles further than a direct line, or the old coach road. It is now proposed to construct a line of about 24 miles long to connect the South Coast and South-western Junction line at Cosham, five miles out of Portsmouth, with the branch of the last named company at Alton. This would, besides reducing the distance between London and to Portsmouth about 22 miles, also give railway communication to the thriving market town of Petersfield, and a large and populous district now deprived of that advantage. It is indeed from the landowners of this district that the project has emanated, but it is also likely to meet with much support from the inhabitants of Portsmouth. A large amount of railway accommodation is, however, now given to Portsmouth by the above named companies. There are now, by the two lines, fifteen trains to London daily, and an equal number vice versa. The necessary preliminary measures for setting the proposed new railway on foot will be taken on Wednesday next, when a public meeting of persons interested in it will be held at Petersfield.
(See also
16-Aug-1851
15-Aug-1851
02-Aug-1851)