Croxley Rail Link makes progress

Progress continues with the Croxley Rail Link, with Hertfordshire County Council now in discussions with London Underground about the next steps for the 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. Terry Douris, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We have been working very hard to deliver this vital railway development for Hertfordshire, which will have so many benefits for the area. We are now in discussions with London Underground about their potential greater involvement, given that they will ultimately own and operate the railway. I would like to thank everyone involved in getting the project to this stage.” 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.” 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 For more information about the scheme visit the Croxley Rail Link website www.croxleyraillink.com, which will be updated with this latest information.