News
Watford Met line to close?
The Croxley Rail Link project that will extend the Metropolitan Line to Watford Junction has received a major boost with the news that the East of England Regional Planning Panel has confirmed its support for the scheme.
The rail link is still pending approval from the secretary of state.
Dorothy Thornhill, mayor of Watford, said: "I'm delighted that the scheme has now got regional approval. We have been campaigning for the Croxley Rail Link for a number of years and it should help alleviate traffic congestion by taking 300,000 car journeys from the road network."
Gaining regional backing is a significant step forward for the Rail Link, because the bid could not progress without their support.
The Croxley Link will aim to; improve access to the transport system for residents, alleviate road traffic congestion, improve transport links to London and Watford town centre, reinforce the role of Watford as a regional transport centre, and also provide the opportunity for future through-services.
The main features of the proposal are to; open two new London Underground stations at Ascot Road and Watford West, close the remotely located Watford Metropolitan Line station, and run six Metropolitan Line trains per hour from Watford stations to central London.
More than 11,000 households are within 800 metres of stations on the new link, and around 30% of them do not own a car.
Hertfordshire County Council is currently seeking ‘Programme Entry’ status for the project from the Department of Transport (DfT).
The DfT is expected to complete its assessment of the bid during the autumn. If it is given the green light, a Transport and Works Act application could be made next year with the link in operation by 2014 if all goes to plan.
Funding for the project is a partnership between the county council, London Underground and the DfT.
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2 Comments
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I live in Bushey and I admire the scenery at Croxley Green with the canals, parks, trees and buildings - a new bridge for the Mertopolitan line would spoil this.
I have come up with an alternative and cheaper solution for TfL which will help reduce the congestion in Watford as well as Hertfordshire, plus also create a new rail link in Hertfordshire. All the mentioned criteria is exactly the same as what the Croxley Raillink looks to do plus keep Watford Met Line open:-
Extend the London Overground from Watford High Street to Rickmansworth. There is still trackbed between Watford High Street and where the Metropolitan Line/Chiltern Railways track interceps with the Watford-High-Street-to-Rickmansworth-High-Street Line -
Fantastic news! I think this would be the best project for this area in terms of relieving traffic congestion, convenience for commuters,and the best of all, improving transport to Watford Town centre. No need for car to go shopping or Queuing up for parking!
