THE BATTLE for the South's railways today took another twist after a company bidding for the lucrative southern franchise unveiled a £4.5 billion plan to transform South West Trains.

GNER Holdings set out their proposals for the network which the company say will improve the service for Hampshire's suffering rail users.

In its "Plan for People" unveiled today, GNER, which operates the main east coast line between London and Scotland pledged thousands of new jobs and a massive station modernisation programme.

Among its proposals are:

* The creation of more than 2,200 new jobs boosting the number of staff at stations and on trains by 50 per cent.

* A massive infrastructure programme, including new stations at Chandler's Ford and Southampton Waterfront and rebuilds at Southampton Central, Southampton Airport Parkway and Basingstoke.

* New and more trains will run for longer during the day and night. Longer 12-coach trains will be introduced on most routes by 2005.

Christopher Garnett, director of GNER Holdings and a regular South West Trains user, said: "SWT passengers - whether they are commuters or long distance rail travellers - have a right to expect and receive a decent service.

Three companies have put in bids to run the South West franchise when it becomes available from February 2003.

Stagecoach Holdings, which has run the franchise since privatisation in February 1996 and a partnership between First Group and Netherlands Railway is also in the running.

Government agency The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is expected to make a decision on the franchise which is likely to run for between 15 and 20 years, later this year.

Today, an SRA spokesman said: "We are looking for real commitment to improve customer service, improve capacity - which is a key thing on the approach to Waterloo - and improvements to rolling stock."

Commenting on GNER's proposals, a spokeswoman for Stagecoach said: "This is not going to help people initially.

"Our strength is early incremental improvements."

She said that Stagecoach have plans to rebuild Clapham Junction, reopen Chandler's Ford station as well as stations at Hythe and Marchwood.

* On Sunday, Railtrack is carrying out engineering work between Southampton Central and Winchester. Check the time of services on 08457 48 49 50 before travelling.