Progress for Croxley Rail Link

The Croxley Rail Link is the proposed extension of the London Underground Metropolitan line from Croxley, to Watford Junction via Watford High Street.

Progress continues with Hertfordshire County Council now in discussions with London Underground - an experienced rail provider - about the next steps for this important project.

The county council has had significant success in getting the scheme through the planning stages to a point where construction can start.

All the partners involved in the scheme agree that there is now merit in the rail industry taking a more direct role in delivering the project.

Discussions are being held with London Underground about their potential greater involvement, given that they will ultimately own and operate the railway.

David Hughes, London Underground's Director of Major Programme Sponsorship, said: "We are supporting Hertfordshire County Council with their proposal to re-route and extend the Metropolitan line to Watford Junction. The Croxley Rail Link will improve access to public transport for local residents, lead to jobs growth in the area and provide access for Metropolitan line passengers to West Coast mainline National Rail links from Watford Junction station."

Lib Dem, Dorothy Thornhill, Elected Mayor of Watford, said: "The Croxley Rail Link is a transformational project for the town, and absolutely critical to unlocking Watford's future economic potential. It is the thread that links Watford's major development projects together - Watford Health Campus, Ascot Road, Watford Business Park, Watford Junction Interchange and Charter Place Shopping Centre. That's over £1.2 billion of investment to the benefit of our residents and businesses."

The next steps are for the county council to continue discussions with London Underground and for the scheme to receive final funding approval from the Department for Transport, which is expected in March 2015. Construction is due to start in spring 2015. The target date for trains to start running on the new link is spring 2018.

The scheme is projected to cost £230m. This cost takes into account inflation and increasing the scope of the scheme in order to provide wider railway benefits.