Sprat and Winkle Line

The line had been conceived as part of a trunk route from Manchester to Southampton, but when the Midland and South Western Junction Railway opened, the anticipated long-distance traffic was disappointing.

The section from Romsey to Redbridge had become part of the line from Salisbury to Southampton; it remains in use at the present day.

During the Parliamentary process for authorisation, this was turned down by a Commons Committee in favour of the Manchester and Southampton Railway scheme, which would cover similar ground around Romsey but had much greater strategic significance.

This was done with the connivance of the Great Western Railway and it was assumed that the line would be broad gauge, and might connect to the GWR at Pewsey.

The LSWR adopted the debts of the Andover company and guaranteed a 3% annuity on the outlays already made.

Although really of purely local significance, this enabled diversion of trains bound for Southampton away from the congested route via Eastleigh.

[11] The completion of the Midland and South Western Junction Railway to Andover in 1891[note 2] enabled the final realisation of the original Manchester and Southampton Railway objective, of enabling through journeys from northern towns and cities to Southampton.

[5] On the map attached to Moreton's article, a dotted line is marked, showing a north to west curve at Redbridge, which would have enabled direct running from Romsey towards Brockenhurst.

On Saturday mornings there is an American and Cape Lines Express, at 02:05 from Derby, 07:17 from Andover Junction, and non-stop from there to Southampton West End.

The A&R line had only the residual local traffic from small communities, and the Andover to Romsey (Kimbridge Junction) section closed in September 1964.

The section from Romsey to Redbridge remains in use, now carrying the Southampton to Salisbury traffic, although Nursling station has been closed.

Much of the route between Chilbolton and Kimbridge is now used by the Test Way long-distance footpath, and is also part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.