HOPES for a new £1.7 million rail station in a York suburb are back on track, after council chiefs opened talks with a building firm over the project.

Transport officers are involved in detailed discussions with a private construction company working in the rail industry about plans to reopen Haxby station, it emerged today.

Councillor Ann Reid, City of York Council's executive member for transport, said the long-awaited station scheme - nearly derailed by Govern-ment funding snubs - was closer than ever to reality for frustrated commuters and isolated villagers.

Coun Reid remained tight-lipped about the negotiations, said to be progressing well.

She added: "The council has been looking at all sorts of ways of getting this station provided since the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) decided not to support it.

"This is certainly the closest we have got to providing a station in Haxby. Talks are at a very early stage, but it's definitely getting there."

Council officers confirmed the bid to build the station was due to go out to tender.

Although positive talks have been held with one company, the authority is looking to get at least three quotes back from interested firms. A Liberal Democrat newsletter states: "Assuming the discussions continue successfully, the halt should be operating by the end of 2006."

Haxby station plans - which could pave the way for other new 'suburb' stops at Strensall, York Hospital and Poppleton Business Park - have been in the pipeline for nearly a decade.

They have been hitting the buffers after several delays, including a shock decision by the SRA not to fund the project. Council officers admitted this decision, in 2003, came like a "bolt from the blue".

Coun Reid said that the private option to restore the rail link, which is currently being pursued, was recommended by the SRA after it turned down a second funding request tabled late last year, citing lack of cash for new stations.

Meanwhile, train operator First has already given the station plans momentum.

It confirmed an intermediate stop at Haxby would not breach Network Rail rules about turnaround times at terminus stations. First officials are now considering the timetable implications.

Updated: 08:50 Thursday, April 15, 2004