THE project to build 200 extra car parking spaces at Andover train station has been delayed into next year following consultation with commuters and residents.

The Advertiser reported in April that the town’s railway station was to be the first in the region to get more parking as part of a £50 million rail investment project.

South West Trains said at the time that the new spaces would be completed by early January 2016, but a spokesman confirmed this week that the timescale has slipped back.

He said: “In order for the work to be carried out, it will be necessary to temporarily close the car park.

“This temporary closure has now been rescheduled to take place early in 2016 and as a result will be for a shorter period of time– reducing inconvenience for those using the station. Preparatory works are still scheduled to take place before Christmas.

“A formal timetable will be published and shared with station users and local partners very shortly and we are sorry for the change to the previously published plans.”

When asked for specific reasons for the delay,he added: “There will still be some works taking place in the coming weeks but the actual closure itself will now be in the New Year which means the closure is for less time. It follows the drop in sessions and we think this is a better situation for users.”

Notices giving details of the delays have now gone on display. The new spaces will be built over two levels, with increased CCTV, a new help point and improved pedestrian and cycle paths to the station.

It was previously estimated that the current car park would be shut for up to 20 weeks, but it is unclear how long officials now believe it will be out of action for.

Extra trains will also be introduced on Sunday afternoons into London Waterloo, creating hundreds of additional seats.