The concept is simple, to construct a narrow gauge railway between Bishops Waltham and the mainline connection at Botley, about 4 miles in all.

 The aim is to improve tourism into the Hamble valley area, as well as to provide an alternative method of commuting for the ever increasing population that calls the Hamble valley home. In addition to this, the railway will provide some of the most beautiful views in southern England, along what is known as 'the Strawberry Coast'.

 In an age of green transport and global warming, projects such as these provide true potential for both cutting CO2 emmisions while providing tourist income.  According to 2006 statistics from DEFRA, 42.8% of UK Transport Sector Carbon emissions come from private motor transport, while only 3.7% comes from Public Transport, while a recent Sustrans Report says “CO2 emissions per passenger for train transport are six to eight times lower than car travel at average occupancy, and public transport could provide a greater share of local and longer distance travel than is currently the case.” With the number of houses within the Winchester Distict due to increase, the need for improved public transport, as stated in section 1.15 of the Winchester District Local Development Framework, has never been higher.