A bid to re-establish a rail link between Bordon and Liphook could get back on track with the public’s help.

Farnham & Bordon MP Gregory Stafford is convinced there is demand for restarting the rail-link to Liphook and the Portsmouth to Waterloo line as local bus services “are not good enough”.

The Conservative says he’s been working with stakeholders, the county, district and town councils to push for the service.

But needs to show transport ministers that Whitehill & Bordon residents share his view – so he’s started an online survey to prove the demand is genuine.

The survey has been launched ahead of a key meeting with the Department for Transport as his attempts to force the issue with government has had mixed results.

He wrote to the Rail Minister in August but was told W&B already has a connection to Farnham in a “fairly weak response”.

But he had more joy after raising the issue in the House of Commons with another minister with a further meeting planned.

“The Bordon and Whitehill area needs better access to our rail network,” said the MP.

“As the population increases and new development increases, we need the appropriate infrastructure to support the growing community.

“So that’s why I’m launching a survey for residents, so they can contribute to the discussion on a new rail-bus link to Liphook train station, before I meet with the Department for Transport.”

“So please do fill out my survey, on my website, and I’ll use that evidence to take to ministers at the meeting and demonstrate that we do need this service.”

There have long been calls for improved bus services from W&B but a bid to secure cross-county funding for an improved 18 service failed early this year.

The survey can be found under the ‘local campaigns’ header at www.gregorystafford.co.uk