THE derailed supertram linking Fareham, Gosport and Portsmouth could be reconsidered by the government as early as March.

Project leaders are currently battling to have all officers' questions answered before they put their new proposals back to ministers.

A revised funding bid was passed back to the government in November and is now being considered by civil servants from the Department for Transport.

A first bid was originally rejected last summer after costs spiralled from £100m to £270m.

In the latest proposal, expenditure has been slashed by £70m - by cutting a station out of the plans and altering construction phases.

Project director Steve Nicholson believes they have a window of opportunity between March and May when the bid could be considered, alongside proposals for similar schemes in Leeds and Manchester.

If not, it looks likely the scheme will fall off the agenda until after an expected spring election and go past the July deadline for funding to be agreed.

He said: "We're really encouraged by the amount and level of questions they've been asking us - they're obviously taking it very seriously.

"We're making good progress in dealing with some of their concerns. There's still a bit more work to be done in dealing with some of the concerns, but we are hopeful funding will be approved by the summer.

"We are pressing for an early decision and I feel it looks strongly to meet government criteria.

"The more I look at the scheme, the more I'm convinced it's the right one."

Mr Nicholson has given a progress report to members of Hampshire County Council's Gosport Peninsula Access Panel which aims to ease traffic congestion to and from the town on the A32 Fareham to Gosport Road.

It is hoped the tram will alleviate up to three million car journeys a year on the congested M27 and A32.