THE collapse of the Tesco-built tunnel at Gerrards Cross train station is putting "great pressure" on Amersham, say community leaders.

Thousands of commuters from across the county, who have been unable to use that station to get into the capital, have been driving into Amersham to take the Metropolitan line.

But motorists have been clogging up roads and multi-storey car parks by parking illegally in a bid to get a space.

Speaking at Chiltern District Council's full council meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Vera Head, said: "Amersham is full up. There is great pressure on the village."

Although bus services have been provided to take commuters to alternative stations, and a park and ride scheme in Denham has also been set up, Cllr Head said the scheme did not help people coming from Wycombe.

She also said people were choosing to use Amersham station because of the cost of using national rail services.

She added: "Some people are getting a train from Amersham instead of going to Slough, for example, because it is cheaper."

Cllr Norma Dias, said the hourly bus service provided by Chiltern Railways was "not sufficient".

But Cllr Peter Lole was adamant that Chiltern Railways was not the culprit. He said: "There is no reason why there should be any problem with parking when Chiltern Railways has provided other means of travel. Chiltern Railways is very unfortunately affected by this. Tesco is responsible."

Hopes are for the southbound line at Gerrards Cross to be re-opened within a few months.

A joint report by Tesco contractors, Chiltern Railways and the Health and Safety Executive, is expected to be published today to decide how the planned building work will continue.

Cath Proctor, managing director of Chiltern Railways, said: "I would like to reassure the public that Network Rail are fully aware of the disruption being caused to services and fully understand the need to make a decision as quickly as possible on the future of the tunnel.

"That decision will determine when the line is reopened. Until then we have no option but to continue operating an amended service."

Tesco said a compensation scheme for season ticket holders has been agreed with Chiltern Railways.

Meanwhile, police were out in force at Amersham train station yesterday, a week after the attempted bomb attacks on London, and three weeks after the July 7 bombings, which killed 56 people.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "There are extra patrols at stations because it's a Thursday. There is no specific intelligence and no specific threat. It's just a reassurance for the public."

Details are available from www.chilternrailways.co.uk