PLANS to extend railway sidings in Southampton are to go on display to the public again after residents said they weren’t given enough notice.

As previously reported, Network Rail has applied to extend them at Redbridge Wharf Park to run longer freight trains on the network.

A consultation was held last month in Lordshill for the organisation to listen to residents’ concerns and comments, but the main sticking point for those living near the site was that not enough notice was given for them to attend.

Others said that the timing meant the number who could see the plans would also be lower, as it was held in a weekday afternoon.

Now, Network Rail is to hold another session closer to the affected site, and later in the evening.

A letter sent to residents said: “Further to our letter dated March 9, I am writing to invite you to a further meeting following the drop-in session held on March 20 regarding Redbridge Railway Sidings.”

Despite the letter being dated almost two weeks before the consultation, some residents didn’t receive the letter until two days before it took place.

The plans also include a pocket park near Redbridge rail station, to be built on a site currently occupied by a long-stay car park on Network Rail land.

The letter adds: “We hope this will become a feature for the local community and will encourage more people to use Redbridge Wharf Park.

“We want to engage with the local community and show how our plans have developed since the initial planning submission.

“Following comments received from the drop-in held last week, we have arranged a meeting to allow residents that were unable to attend on March 20.”

The next session is being held at The Ship Inn, on Old Redbridge Road, on April 4 between 5.30pm and 8.30pm.

The first planning application was thrown out by Southampton City Council last year.

At the first meeting, residents claimed that nothing had been added to the new plans to protect residents from noise.

Houses and flats sit alongside the rail tracks, with Redbridge rail station situated among a residential area.

The plans are part of a wider scheme to allow trains to run from Southampton to the Midlands, and run longer trains of 775 metres, up from the current 520 metres.