With the diversion of all 'main line' traffic via Bournemouth & the Holes Bay cut-off in 1893, traffic along the whole route, from Brockenhurst in the east to Wimborne & Broadstone in the west declined - essentially what had been designed and built as a significant 'network' railway line became little more than a rural feeder; important but 'over-engineered' for the demands placed upon it.

However, with only a small though growing motorised road sector, the railway still formed the 'backbone' of the local community.