PROPOSALS to reintroduce a direct service between Alton and Guildford with a station serving the Surrey Research Park and Royal Surrey County Hospital have been welcomed.

Plans put forward as part of Surrey County Council's rail strategy include a two trains-per-hour service to Guildford to compliment the existing services to London Waterloo.

The county council said such a proposal would attract road users away from the congested A3 and A31, and provide better access to employment in Guildford.

The council also proposes building a new station at Park Barn to serve the Research Park and hospital which would "improve rail access to employment centres" as well as the Surrey Sports Park.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.