THE planned reopening of Chandler's Ford's rail station is back on the drawing board.

The original track proposal for the station has been derailed because, according to Railtrack, vital signalling work cannot be carried out.

Too few engineers means that only work deemed necessary for safety is being undertaken for the foreseeable future.

To meet the reopening deadline of May 2003, Hampshire County Council and South West Trains have had to scrap plans to open the line which would have meant trains reversing at Chandler's Ford.

Hopes for the station's viability now centre on proposals to extend the service to Romsey and Totton. That would require two or three times the funding that has already been secured from the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) to support train operation, station and signalling costs.

Council transport bosses also have to make sure the new service proposed is workable within the current rail network and timetable.

Frustration at Railtrack's position led county council officers and SWT to draw up the back-up plans which now look to be the only way forward.

A county council spokesman said of the new scheme: "It would have the advantage of meeting the long-term aspirations of a service through to Romsey and linking ten stations in the Southampton commuter area.

"However the downside is that it will need twice as many trains and crews and therefore substantially more SRA funding as well as the need to be resubmitted as a new funding bid."

Railtrack's bosses say they are doing the best they can to make the plans a reality.

A spokeswoman said: "It was a non-realistic project in terms of delivery. It was felt better to explore other options and come up with something that could be carried out.

"We are going to go back to the county council with some more options."

County and district council members of the Southampton area transport strategy panel are to meet tomorrow to discuss the latest developments.