It has been three years since the plug was officially pulled on the Met Line extension.

The costly project was supposed to provide impressive new transport links for people in Watford town centre along with the buyers of properties being built along the route.

Reviving MLX seemed far-fetched even before the pandemic struck. Since then Transport for London has needed bailing out by the Government three times.

This means an alternative transport scheme must be found or the town could end up with nothing at all.

As it stands, there is nothing set in stone – but it does look like proposals are afoot.

In June, Hertfordshire County Council presented its vision for a new mass rapid transit system running across Hertfordshire and into west Essex, terminating at Stansted Airport.

The route is set to follow the A414 corridor, which runs from Hemel Hempstead to Harlow, and nowhere near Watford.

See more: Mass rapid transit could directly link west Hertfordshire with airport

But the council revealed the The Hertfordshire-Essex Rapid Transit, or HERT for short, would also run from West Watford – and evidence is mounting that the HERT, if it happens, is a replacement of sorts for the doomed Met Line extension.

Firstly, the county council was involved in the MLX project, and it seems the council still has its eye on the line.

A spokesperson told the Observer: “We are currently working with Watford Borough Council, Three Rivers District Council, Transport for London (TfL) and Network Rail to consider the opportunities for the Metropolitan Line Extension corridor.

"We are also awaiting the outcome of a bid to the Department for Transport’s Restoring Your Railway Fund for the Abbey Line. The outcome of both of these will help us refine our approach for the HERT project."

Related: 'Passing loop' could be reinstated on Abbey Line between Watford and St Albans

Then we have Watford’s local plan, which is soon to be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval.

The plan covers the relative basics of finding places to build new homes but it also provides the blueprint for other issues like infrastructure.

Within the final local plan draft, a mass rapid transit is listed as a transport infrastructure requirement for development in the Colne Valley, Riverwell, Bushey Arches, Ascot Road, the town centre, and Watford Junction.

Bar Bushey Arches, all of these locations formed part of the original Met Line extension proposal.

There’s not much else to add from the local plan documents except Watford Borough Council is clear that the mass rapid transport system is Hertfordshire County Council’s responsibility.

The borough council has already confirmed it is safeguarding the disused MLX or Croxley Rail Link line as it is also known.

Watford Observer:

Perhaps the biggest question of all is whether the mass rapid transit will link to the Met Line in any way.

If this transit scheme did link to the Met Line or even Croxley Green or Watford station in Cassiobury Park Avenue, it would in-turn provide that all-important link to Watford town centre and Watford Junction.

But while the route of the HERT - and even the type of vehicle - is yet to be finalised, it may be some time before we get answers, particularly with the whole scheme subject to Government funding.