South West Trains' introduction of its new Desiro trains hasn't been put back six months, after all.

It was Mike Roberts, Labour environment spokesman on Hampshire County Council, who made the claim with a reference to a new date in January.

"We said the new trains would enter passenger service late in 2002 so it's weeks rather than months," said an SWT spokesman.

"The reason is we need to upgrade our power supply to accommodate the new trains and we are working with Network Rail to take that forward."

The new trains, which are being built by the German company, Siemens, will have air-conditioning, power doors and improved passenger comfort - all features that require more power.

"Network Rail is having to make sure that the power supply on the network is capable of sustaining these trains and that's quite a long job," added the spokesman.

"We want to introduce a modification and it's that which has put the introduction back slightly."

Part of the deal with South West Trains was that Siemens would have the 20-year maintenance contract and a maintenance depot is now being built at Northam, Southampton, for the Desiros.

The new trains are due to come on stream in 2003 and through into the following year and all the slam-door trains, some of which date to the 1960s, should be phased out by the end of 2004, says SWT.