Twickenham station will not be completed by the opening of 2015 Rugby World Cup in the town, it was confirmed this week.

The Court of Appeal this week dismissed an appeal to overturn the planning decision on the station made almost two years ago, but the development will not be ready in time for thousands of fans from around the world arriving for the showpiece event.

Lord Justice Richards gave the verdict on May 15 at the Royal Courts of Justice, after a long battle between residents and Richmond Council.

 Tim Shoveller, managing director of the Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance, said on May 15: “We are pleased with today’s decision which means we are a step closer to delivering the improvements at Twickenham.

“Because of the delay caused by the legal challenge, it will no longer be possible to deliver all the elements of this regeneration project in time for the 2015 Rugby World Cup (RWC). We are drawing up an alternative programme which will focus on delivering an improved temporary station and public area by 2015 while delivering elements of the wider development after the Rugby World Cup.

“Network Rail has agreed with the Mayor of London and London Borough of Richmond a package of platform enhancements at Twickenham on top of the platform extensions that are currently being built. These will deliver significant improvements for passengers and help ease congestion at the station. 

“Given the delays in the planning process so far, it will be a challenge to deliver these improvements in time for 2015 but we will now plan and organise ourselves to start work on site as quickly as possible.”

Mr Shoveller confirmed the wider Solum Regeneration project, including high rise flats, would be delivered following 2015.

Twickenham Residents’ Action Group (Trag), which brought the appeal, did not think the approved plans from Solum Regeneration were right for the community.

Resident and local architect Richard Mellor, who prepared an alternative proposal for Trag called Plan B said the delay could be a chance to reconsider the plans.

He said: “If the party has accepted it cannot deliver its project for 2015 do they really, really believe that continuing with that is the right approach?

“Perhaps common sense could prevail and all parties could take stock of the situation and seek to develop a solution that meets the aspirations of the local community and the stakeholders involved in the redevelopment.”

He added that Plan B was put forward as an alternative proposal for the station that would have been completed in time for the world cup.

Leader of the council Lord True said: “Twickenham station is a disgrace and, while this whole process has resulted in massive delays to the developers’ schedule, I now hope that they can make enough progress to be able to deliver a 21st century station in time for the Rugby World Cup in 2015 when the eyes of the world will be on our town.”