Croxley Rail Link Update

Hertfordshire County Council remains committed to the Croxley Rail Link, and is working together with the scheme's partner organisations to achieve the best outcome for this important project.

A report detailing the preferred model to enable the delivery of the scheme went to to the council's Cabinet on Monday 23 February where they will be asked to give approval of the proposed financing of the county council's contribution to the project. However at the Council Meeting the next day it became clear that there were still some loose ends to tie up with London Underground Ltd regarding responsibility and a degree of funding shortfall.

The Croxley Rail Link will provide significant benefits for Watford's local economy as well as contributing towards aspirations to further grow London's economy.

Under the County Council's preferred model, Hertfordshire County Council would be responsible for the delivery of the civil engineering elements of the scheme in a single project, which includes design, land assembly and utility diversions, at a value of £99.5m.

This would be funded through a combination of local contributions from Watford Borough Council, s106 contributions from local developments, the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and its own resources.

Also in the preferred model, London Underground Limited would be responsible for the delivery of the rail related elements of the scheme in a separate project. The value of this rail related project would be subject to final agreement between the Department for Transport and London Underground Limited/Transport for London.

At the time of drafting the Cabinet report, it was understood that London Underground Limited have a preference to take on overall responsibility for the entire scheme (both the civil engineering elements and the rail build) on the basis that a 'split' of contracts would introduce a further interface and potentially increase the level of risk.

A spokesman for the County Council said: "The Croxley Rail Link holds huge potential for the economic regeneration of South West Hertfordshire, particularly for the people of Watford. It is our plan that when operational, this service could deliver six trains an hour during peak periods, running between Watford Junction and Baker Street, and four trains per hour off-peak. We continue to work with our partners to achieve the best outcome for this scheme."

If approval for the scheme is to be given by late March 2015, before Parliament dissolves, the timetable for decision is challenging. The Department for Transport needs commitments from both Hertfordshire County Council and London Underground Limited by the end of February 2015 to enable them to consider a final funding decision by late March 2015.

Hertfordshire County Council, London Underground, Network Rail, Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council are working in partnership to deliver the project.

Hertfordshire County Council was encouraged by the Department for Transport to take on and progress this railway scheme at a time in the 1990s when the railway industry, both in the public and private sector, was struggling. The county council has had significant success in getting the scheme to a stage where construction can start.