Railtrack intends to install a new temporary station to serve Borehamwood and Elstree by next Easter.

Executives from the troubled company were due to meet with Hertsmere Borough Council's planning officers today, to discuss the installation of a new station.

A spokeswoman from the company, which went into administration with debts of £3.3billion earlier this month, said the plan to build a permanent station had been scrapped as there was not enough money.

"We were going to build an office block with the new station, but the project fell through when the developer who was going to build the office block pulled out.

"We are still going to replace what is there now with a modular temporary station, but it will be much better than what is there now.

"It will have windows, a waiting room, and hopefully a shop as well," she said, adding: "It should be up by Easter, assuming we have no problems with the planning application," she said.

Thameslink, the rail company that operates the route serving Borehamwood and Elstree, said it was disappointed that the original permanent station had been scrapped, but would support the replacement of the current temporary buildings.

Elstree councillors Derrick Gunasekera and Morris Bright have pledged to carry on campaigning for a permanent station.

Mr Gunasekera will attend the meeting between Railtrack and Hertsmere's planning officers, and Mr Bright is to lobby the Government to bring in a better solution for Borehamwood's commuters.

"I do not believe local station users will be satisfied with another temporary station. If this is the best Railtrack can offer, it is not surprising that the Government has taken it into administration.

"We all deserve a decent station for the 21st Century, and that is what we must all campaign for," said Mr Bright.

October 17, 2001 17:32