Railway stations could open at Kidlington and Wantage in 2004 under plans being drawn up by Oxfordshire County Council and Rail operators.

Council officers have begun discussions with First Great Western, and are conducting a study to assess demand for a £2.5m rail link, serving Wantage and Grove.

A similar survey is also being carried out to assess demand for a £1.5m station in Kidlington.

Council officers will meet Thames Trains to ask for half the funding for the Kidlington station, which will be a new stop on the Oxford to Banbury line.

Noel Newson, council group manager for special projects, said Kidlington's station was scrapped in the 1960s because of rail network rationalisation. He added: "A new rail link would help people in Kidlington get to Banbury, Oxford, and London."

He said householders in Wantage and Grove, and commuters at Didcot Station would be interviewed to assess demand to reopen Wantage Road Station.

He added: "We are confident the study will demonstrate a viable case for a station in this location.

"We are in discussions with First Great Western about costs and rail services."

Officers hope the results of the study will convince the Strategic Rail Authority to put up half the cost of the station with the balance coming from the council, First Great Western and Railtrack. The council has allocated £400,000 to build railway stations at Wantage/Grove and Kidlington.

The Wantage Road Station would provide direct services to Reading, Slough and London Paddington and Swindon, Bristol and Bath. Services could also be provided to Oxford and Birmingham.

Cllr Jim Moley, who represents Wantage on the town, district and county councils, said: "The need for a new station is very great.

"It will take people off very congested roads and contribute to safety, the local economy, tourism and the environment."