CORSHAM is still in line to have a new railway station by summer 2003.

Last week, members of Wiltshire County Council's environment advisory panel agreed to recommend that Cabinet authorise the completion of all the legal agreements.

Coun Peter Davis said at the meeting: "It's another step forward and I'm always pleased to see another step."

Afterwards Mr Davis said he was waiting in anticipation for the results of a meeting with Railtrack.

"We are hoping confirmation will be given that building will commence in the winter so the station can come into service in the summer," he said.

He said he was optimistic the long awaited station would become a reality and on time.

The county council has to make legal agreements with its partners in the project who are contributing to the cost, including North Wiltshire District Council, Bath and North East Somerset Council and Corsham Town Council.

An agreement with Railtrack must also be drawn up. Railtrack will only agree to build the platforms and footbridge, not the car park and access works, because of limited resources.

Train operators First Great Western and the Pockeridge Farm housing developers, who are helping fund the project, will also have to sign agreements. Railtrack's contractor, responsible for building the track and platforms, is set to be offered a contract by the county council to build the car park and access.

The new station will be built near Pound Mead, with two platforms, and car parking for 120 cars on the south side of the line.