A NEW rail partnership is on track to promote passenger trains services between Salisbury and Southampton - including the Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford line.

One of the first jobs the Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership has taken on board is highlighting the December launch of the new South West Trains' Southampton Central to Salisbury service via Eastleigh, Chandler's Ford and Romsey.

It's Hampshire and south Wiltshire's first community rail partnership and the organisation is made up of local authorities, train and bus operators, other interested bodies and individuals. Three Rivers is chaired by Nick Farthing and has been named after the Rivers Avon, Test and Itchen, which all follow or cross the two rail routes linking Salisbury with Southampton.

Officially launching the new venture in Southampton, Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership's rail officer Mark Miller said: "The aim of this is to get more people using trains and link communities to their local rail station and services. We are not a for profit organisation and are trying to ensure railways are everyone's business. Any one interested in positively contributing to the development of rail travel in their area are welcome and we have established a wide ranging stakeholder group to spread the word."

Turning to the new South West Trains service between Salisbury and Southampton Central, Mr Miller added: "Our objectives are long-term support and to ensure the survival of this new train service. The new hourly service will give direct access to Southampton Airport from Salisbury and all the small stations along the line. This area is a valuable place for getting elsewhere by train, being situated on three main lines which serve the wider region. It's a major transport hub. I think the line will get even greater use than it does now when the new service starts."

Stations that will be served by the new South West Trains local service' include Salisbury, Dean, Mottisfont & Dunbridge, Romsey, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, Southampton Airport Parkway, Swaythling, St Denys, Southampton Central, Millbrook and Redbridge. Two of the main station beneficiaries are Dean and Mottisfont & Dunbridge where trains will stop almost every hour which is much more frequent than the current service provided.

When the new South West Trains service begins, First Great Western will withdraw all its stopping services at Dean and Mottisfont & Dunbridge stations but will continue running regular regional trains between Portsmouth and Cardiff with stops at Romsey, Salisbury and Southampton Central.

Local authorities providing the £60,000 partnership funding for the next three-years include Hampshire, Test Valley, Southampton, Eastleigh and Salisbury councils along with South West Trains and First Great Western.

Mr Miller said: "The support of the funding partners is fantastic and greatly appreciated. The route offers access to heritage sites in Southampton, Salisbury and Romsey and walks like the Test Way, Itchen Way and Avon Way. We have an excellent website www.threeriversrail.com which has extensive information on train services, stations, timetables and local attractions, have produced various forms of publicity and are currently working with CAMRA to produce an Inn Line - a guide to local food and drink at places along the route of rail services. We hope to have it in production within the next month or so."

Mr Miller pointed out a volunteer group had been set up at Mottisfont & Dunbridge and Chandler's Ford under the station adoption-scheme. Work carried out at adopted stations includes litter picks, planting schemes, publicity distribution and other small projects with agreement from the train operators which manage them.

Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership is hoping to get schools and other organisations involved in the station adoption schemes.

"We need to get a few more station adoption schemes going and are looking at getting, schools, tourism groups, businesses and mums and tots involved in the partnership. For future ideas, we are looking at name a train, exhibiting art at stations, and offering the millionth customer on the new service with a prize, anything to promote trains," added Mr Miller stressing the need for an integrated transport system involving both bus and train travel.

Ampfield's Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum director Robin Kealy who was at t he launch said it was vital to provide a bus link from Winchester and Romsey rail stations to the famous site.

"There are three very good tourist attractions around Romsey and it needs a bus that links up with the railway stations to serve ours and other gardens," said Mr Kealy.