Councillors at Watford Borough Council last night passed a motion condemning the Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s decision to pull his support for the Met Line Extension.
The motion, which was proposed by Liberal Democrat Cllr Iain Sharpe and supported by Watford Liberal Democrat councillors, called on the London Mayor to ‘rethink his decision’, affirming Watford Borough Council’s support for the scheme and noting that the scheme was already funded and the preparatory works had all been completed.
Cllr Iain Sharpe, Liberal Democrat Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development said, ‘Sadiq Khan has let down residents in Watford with his short-sighted decision to withdraw his support from this scheme.’
‘We were in a position where the funding for the scheme was in place until the bombshell hit. TfL wanted all the financial burden of the risk of the scheme to fall on government and for TfL not to foot any of it. It’s a normal occurrence for the organisation planning this scheme. It seems like TfL and Sadiq Khan simply doesn’t want to deliver it’
‘Sadiq Khan is currently saying he won’t support the extension as it mainly benefits taxpayers outside of Watford. Yet he is happy to put substantial funds into rail links going out of London as far as Reading and in Essex. This is a lose/lose for Watford and London residents alike’
‘The problem here is that the clock is ticking and time is running out. Warm words from Labour are simply weasel words.
‘This scheme would offer huge benefits to Watford residents, bringing jobs and much needed infrastructure. It’s too important for the town to fail’
Watford Labour councillors voted against the motion.
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