THE possibility of Woolwich getting a station on the £16bn Crossrail network may have moved closer to reality.

News Shopper can reveal Greenwich Council has been in talks with property giant Berkeley Homes on how to find the £162m needed.

Although no details of what has been suggested have been released, a detailed plan has been submitted to Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander.

He is expected to make a decision on whether the town will get a station by the end of this month.

It is believed council chiefs have been discussing the Crossrail bid with Berkeley Homes, which has a turnover of £900m and profits of £200m to the financial year ending last April.

The council and the business community were left shocked last October when Mr Alexander turned down Woolwich's bid for a station.

Although the parliamentary Crossrail sub-committee backed the bid, the Department for Transport found the proposed £270m cost unacceptable.

But in November, it said it was prepared to reconsider the proposal if the council could find investment itself.

News Shopper launched its Crossrail campaign in December, calling on the Government to give Woolwich a chance.

Now the council and the business community are optimistic Mr Alexander will change his mind.

Berkeley Homes' urban regeneration project director John Anderson said: "We have had very constructive talks and I am hopeful we will get the right decision from the minister.

"The station would be great news for the redevelopment of the Royal Arsenal as it is an integral part of the area.

"In five to 10 years' time, more houses will be needed to develop the infrastructure of the town, which will support the proposal for a station.

"There will also be social benefits and retail jobs."

Greenwich, Bexley and Lewisham Chamber of Commerce president Steve Nelson is upbeat about Woolwich's chances.

He said: "I think it makes it difficult for the minister to refuse the proposals if the costs have been reduced substantially.

"There is such a strong case for a station at Woolwich especially from the Crossrail select committee, who were strongly in favour.

"Therefore, the Government must look at this proposal in a new light."

Greenwich Council is being tight-lipped about the submitted plan.

A spokesman said: "The council is engaged in discussions with Berkeley Homes about a range of options to support the campaign for a Woolwich Crossrail station.

"We cannot go into further detail at this stage, but remain confident we can secure a station at Woolwich and the massive transport and regeneration benefits it would bring."