South Western.
Petersfield to Midhurst.
This line, granted in 1860, 10¼ miles long, is to be taken by the South Western at a cost of 106,000l. We do not say the line is dear at about 10,000l. per mile, but low as it is we fear that it will not pay even on that figure. What traffic can there be between Petersfield and Midhurst? There is some traffic of course, but is there 1,000l. per mile per annum traffic? We may expect, however, it is not its traffic prospects which have led the South Western Directors to take the Petersfield and Midhurst line. ‟A glance at the Map will at once show the Proprietors the great desirability of this line being in their hands.”
The line points to Southampton, and if so extended by another or opposition Company it would be exceedingly mischievous. It is to be lamented that our great Railway Companies are exposed to this sort of thing, but so long as Parliament grants competing or threatening lines, there can be no hope of seeing an end to it.
As regards the public interests it may be said, as favourable to the intended measure, that the Petersfield and Midhurst line would doubtless be better worked by the South Western Company than by a small independent one.
See also