FARNHAM station could get a new £22million train depot under plans drawn up by South West Trains.

The train operator has ordered 785 new Desiro trains to replace ageing slam-door Mark I stock and, while the main Siemens maintenance depot for the new trains is to be at Northam in Southampton, Farnham has been chosen as its second in line for maintenance and storage.

"We need extra stabling for the new stock," said a spokesman who explained that, subject to SWT being granted a new 20-year operating franchise and to planning permission, the aim was to install 15 more outside tracks at the Farnham depot to supplement the five already in the sheds.

This would be carried out as part of a phased project which would probably take around 18 months to complete, with the first phase being the construction of a new facility to deal with the maintenance of modern controlled emission toilets contained on the new trains.

The project would also include the construction of a new sub-station to provide additional power, and a carriage washing unit for cleaning the trains.

In addition, there are plans to lengthen platforms at 70 main line stations on the SWT network to facilitate a 12-car operation.

This will include Alton and Bentley. It is not expected to be for some time, according to the spokesman who confirmed that, as part of the Farnham project, SWT would be looking also at the provision of improved facilities for guards and drivers who currently have to "make do" with a cabin.

Heartened by promised improvements to what has been labelled one of the worst performing lines in the country, Hampshire county councillor and executive member of the Alton Line Users Association Mike Roberts said: "With the Watercress Line at one end being one of the principal tourist attractions in the south of England, with these new developments, the renaissance of the Alton/Farnham line is set fair, not only for the immediate future but for the long term future as well.

"What all of us who are in a position of influence must do is to make sure that we develop the whole of this infrastructure purposefully, in time and with commitment, as soon as is practicable.

"As both a senior strategic councillor and also a member of the Alton Line Users Association executive, I will work with others to achieve that. These are indeed exciting times."

Meanwhile, Railtrack is being put under increasing pressure to double up the line from Alton to Farnham to tie in with the construction by Hampshire Waste Services of a new Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) on the A31 near Alton.

The campaign for two-track working has swung into overdrive this month, reflecting local concern over increased vehicle movements associated with the plant.

This would improve the service for passengers and be used to handle what looks set to become a significant freight operation.

The fear locally is for the impact of an estimated 250 truck movements a day - a figure which is expected to increase significantly over the years.

But, since the former Gibbs-Palmer cold store site backs onto the main Alton-to-Waterloo line, campaigners believe that it would be environmentally sound for at least some of the associated freight to travel by rail.