Transport authority Merseytravel is still unable to say when new trains will be available to replace Merseyrail's current ageing fleet.

The 36-year-old vehicles are the oldest models serving in the UK, but the recent 30-year transport plan published by Merseytravel focused on possible new train stations or re-openings, rather than replacing the trains, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Although around £32m was spent on refurbishing the 59-train fleet in 2002, wheelwear problems caused huge disruption to services.

In February 2011, Merseytravel announced that the question of any replacement trains had been put back to at least 2017 and negotiations were underway to extend the existing fleet's lease period.

However, although money has been allocated by the transport authority to cover the process of starting fleet replacements, Merseytravel is no closer to reaching a decision on the issue.

Authority chair councillor Liam Robinson said a new fleet of trains is an option but indicated modernisation and refurbishment of existing models are also being considered.