CHANDLER'S Ford Central Precinct should be bulldozed to make way for a new railway station, says a transport expert.

Retired transport manager and ex-president of the Eastleigh and District Chamber of Commerce Robbie Henderson fears that commuters will snub the new station unless there is adequate parking.

Currently there are plans for 55 spaces at the station, which will be used by 700 commuters every day.

Mr Henderson says this is grossly inadequate and that is why he is calling for the new station to be built on the site of the precinct. He wants to see a combined station and shopping centre with adequate parking on the Central Precinct site.

Mr Henderson said: "Building the new station on the site of the old one is going to be a complete and unmitigated disaster.

"Fifty-five car-parking spaces is absolutely ludicrous. It's nowhere near enough, and they have built on all of the areas surrounding the station so there is no room for extra spaces.

"They should have gone for the precinct from the start. There is a massive area there that could be used for the station.

"They would have to raze the thing to the ground and start from scratch but it would provide facilities for everything. There would be car-parking spaces and space for shopkeepers and we wouldn't have the traffic problems.

"The traffic flow in the area as a result of the station will only add to the existing traffic problems."

A spokesman for Hampshire County Council said: "We are not expecting large volumes of commuters every day and it's well connected to footpaths and cycling facilities.

"If people are going to get in their cars to go to the station they will go to a mainline station such as Southampton or Winchester.

"Relocating to the precinct would be complex and extremely expensive because access would have to be approved and additional land acquired, so it has not really been considered."

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, estate agents predict that house prices in the area will rise by 10 per cent as hundreds of London commuters snap up properties near the station.