THERE is good news for commuters using Grateley rail station.

Andover's MP Sir George Young has been told that work on a 44 space extension to the car park should start early in the new year.

Andrew Haines, managing director of South West Trains, who is a regular commuter from his home in the Andover area, told the MP he was 'optimistic' about the start of the scheme but pointed out there had been a wait of over three months for regulatory approval.

"People are driving to Grateley from as far away as Somerset, " the MP said.

"This has put enormous pressure on the station car park.

"Those who don't get there early, find it is simply full and then they have to drive to Andover and Basingstoke. I was therefore pleased to hear that help is on its way."

The MP said there were problems at Andover station.

"A number of my constituents have told me that they have arrived after 10am and were unable to park.

"They have either risked being fined or driven to another station.

"This is clearly not a satisfactory solution."

At Andover the train company is hoping to squeeze another 25 places into the existing car park by re-lining the area and it is also hoping that a major expansion site could become available.

Andrew Haines said there were no short term solutions to similar problems at Whitchurch and Overton although environmental investigations were being carried out on a possible major site to the north of Whitchurch station.

He acknowledged that local residents were retaliating against drivers parking outside their homes.

At Overton a monthly car park survey by the train company revealed that on average 78 drivers were attempting to cram into 26 official spaces.

A temporary car park for 55 vehicles was being used.