THE Strategic Rail Authority won't be taking sides in Associated British Ports's battle to build a new container port at Dibden Bay.

On day 70 of the public inquiry into the scheme, SRA spokesman John Chapman said it had no preference for ABP's Dibden Bay scheme over rival container port proposals now on drawing boards around the country.

"Whichever ports succeed in capturing trade, we will try and provide them with as much rail capacity as possible," said Mr Chapman.

He added that at least a year's further investigation was needed into the possibility of upgrading the Southampton to West Midlands rail route to allow the use of larger and longer freight trains - an essential part of the Dibden Bay scheme.

"The emerging cost for the enhancement work needed to increase container freight capacity on the route is in the order of £1bn," said Mr Chapman. If the current proposals don't meet value and affordability criteria, the scope of the project may have to be reduced."

ABP counsel Martin Kingston said: "I don't expect you to tell prospective customers that it is all very uncertain and a risk. That's not the way to inspire confidence. The language of your own strategy is firm on the inclusion of the Southampton-West Midlands up-grade at the earliest opportunity."

Mr Chapman said that the SRA - the body which advises how public money should be spent on the rail network - was trying to learn from past mistakes.

He said: "We won't go into an enhancement programme without the full facts."

ABP received a blow this week from the Inspector himself. Michael Hurley revealed on Thursday afternoon that he would not be supporting ABP's pill-sweetening plans for a park-and-ride scheme into Southampton from the outskirts of the Dibden Bay site.

He said: "It is certainly a possibility that I would recommend to the Secretary of State that the park-and-ride scheme should not proceed, on the basis that it is in the New Forest Heritage area - a particularly sensitive site."