The Croxley Rail Link Takes Another Step Forward

The Croxley Rail Link has taken another significant step towards reality. Hertfordshire County Council, which is the lead partner in this multi-agency project, has appointed Taylor Woodrow to draw up the engineering plans for the project.

The rail link will require a bridge to take the track from the existing Metropolitan Line across the A412 Watford Road, the Grand Union Canal and the River Gade to join the trackbed of the old line which ran into Croxley Green Station (closed in 1966). This will enable Metropolitan Line trains to run into Watford Junction to connect with London Overground and the West Coast Main Line.

Two new stations will be built, one at Ascot Road to replace Croxley Green Station and a new one at Vicarage Road, called Watford Hospital, to serve both the West Herts Hospital and Watford FC's Vicarage Road stadium. The new track would then join the London Overground line near the A4178, Wiggenhall Road, and trains will call at the existing Watford High Street station on their way to Watford Junction.

This new scheme will give convenient rail access to West Herts Hospital from Tring, Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead and Kings Langley.

Watford West Station in Cassiobury Park will, however, close, meaning a longer walk from the Cassiobury Estate to the new station at Ascot Road.