WORCESTER rail commuters have been assured that an out-of-town station could still be built after a 30-year wait.

Strategic Rail Authority chairman Richard Bowker gave Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff the news that the Norton Parkway development was still on track.

The SRA first had to focus on projects in London and the South East which contributed to reducing delays and overcrowding.

But he insisted that did not mean schemes elsewhere in the country would be ignored.

The SRA plans to pay Railtrack to build the £10m four-platform station and car park, which is expected to serve a million passengers a year.

A feasibility study has proved the demand for the out-of-town station, according to Worcestershire County Council.

"I'm clear that we face a tougher battle to get improvements to the local rail network financed than before Stephen Byers re-nationalised Railtrack," said Mr Luff.

"However, I'm equally clear that it is still worth fighting for Worcester Parkway and the Cotswold line.

"Mr Bowker comes from Virgin Trains and it was the enthusiasm of Virgin that led me to persuade the county council to re-open the debate about this station.

"Mr Bowker's enthusiasm is welcome - but we'll have to fight hard to ensure that vital projects in our county are given the priority they deserve."

Mr Luff described a two-year target period "certainly feasible" and has praised the council for pressing ahead with the plan.

It was revealed in May the cost of the station is likely to rise from £6m to £10m, but this has not deterred its supporters.

Councillor Tom Wells, the county council's Liberal Democrat group leader, said a "can-do" attitude must prevail to ensure it was built.