RAIL chiefs could look to resurrect community line plans for the Marlow to Maidenhead railway line as soon as the end of the year, officials have said.

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) pulled out of negotiations to change the line into a community service last week following a lack of support for the proposals.

They are hoping that by allowing local authorities to oversee the development of six other pilot schemes, they might eventually restart talks with a view to changing the line once again.

The SRA has told the Free Press it could be as soon as November when they will return to local authorities to seek further opinion.

A spokesman said: "We are looking towards the end of the year. Around then the pilot schemes should be finally finished. They the authorities might say they still don't want it a community line so it would still remain as it is."

He added: "I think it is fair to say that some of the local authorities were very supportive of the concept whereas others had reservations and required more information and hopefully the pilot schemes will help them in making a decision."

A community line would mean local authorities would be partly responsible for funding the route, saving the Government millions of pounds.

A community rail partnership, which would need to be established, would require the co-operation of all authorities concerned.

This was not the case with the Marlow to Maidenhead line, which saw Wycombe district and Bucks county councils back negotiations while The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead was against them.

The SRA refused to point out the authorities who had given a "lack of support" but said they would simply "miss out" on the chance to reap benefits, including increasing passenger numbers.

Marlow mayor Roger Wilson said the town council would remain against the plans.

He said: "If you are a practical sort of person you will know that financially changing the railway doesn't mean you have more people. The only way is more expensive road charging."

A district council spokesman said they remained open to further negotiations.

He said: "Our feeling has been that there is value in exploring what opportunities these proposals could bring.

"Experience elsewhere in the country suggests that in the right circumstances designation as a Community Railway can bring benefits rather than being a device to reduce service levels.

"We certainly do not see these proposals as leading to line closure which, needless to say, we would strongly oppose."