What we know and don't know about W2CL - the mooted MLX alternative

The aim of the 'Watford 2 Croxley Link' is to improve public transport connectivity across Watford and into neighbouring Three Rivers district.

This was supposed to have been done via the extension of the Metropolitan Line but this was cancelled by Transport for London (TfL) and London mayor Sadiq Khan in 2017.

News that planners are attempting to reignite the missing transport link is welcome but those with responsible for making the W2CL a reality stress the project is in its "earliest stages".

With that in mind, here is what we know about what's being planned as well as what the biggest unanswered questions are at this time.

What was the MLX?

It was an estimated £350 million plus transport scheme that would have seen the Met Line extended from Croxley station to Watford Junction via Ascot Road and Vicarage Road making use of a disused railway line.

Two new stations would have been created along the route but Watford Met station by Cassiobury Park would have closed.

Despite permission being secured and work starting, the scheme was pulled by London's mayor in 2017.

What the Met Line extension was proposed to be

What is the W2CL?

The 'Watford 2 Croxley Link' - or W2CL for short - is the scheme being proposed by Hertfordshire County Council as an alternative to the Met Line extension.

It aims to provide a new public transport link between Watford and Croxley Green, boost the number of people travelling into Watford, provide better connectivity from east to west in Watford, and provide a way of getting from the town centre to the Tube in Croxley Green.

What route would it take?

The aspiration is for a link that runs from Watford Junction railway station to Croxley station in Watford Road.

It's intended to take the same route the MLX would have taken. There is a disused railway line running through the west of Watford which Watford Borough Council is safeguarding.

The biggest hurdles would be connecting Croxley Green with Watford as well as the route into Watford Junction via the existing railway lines.

The W2CL is proposed to follow the same route as the cancelled Met Line Extension/Croxley Rail Link

What type of transport would it be?

At this stage, senior council officers are telling us "nothing is ruled out".

For example, Hertfordshire County Council's head of highways strategy Rupert Thacker says experts will be asked to look at relatively simple schemes like a new walking or cycling route up to light rail - like a tram - and even heavy rail - such as the tube or train.

However, Mr Thacker concedes heavy rail is "unlikely" because of costs and indicated it's not something TfL is willing to promote at this time. The accepted position is the MLX is now "defunct".

In the coming months, the council will be inviting experts to come up with "creative and feasible" concept designs to find out what could be viable both in terms of engineering and cost.

Who is involved in the project?

At this time, it's a scheme being led by Hertfordshire County Council with high levels of support and working from Watford Borough Council.

Watford mayor Peter Taylor says the W2CL could be a "real game changer" for residents and businesses, fitting in with council ambitions to offer "greener, quicker and healthier ways" to travel in Watford.

The aim is to also get Three Rivers District Council on board, particularly with the Croxley Green leg, with Network Rail and Transport for London also involved.

Any business case would almost certainly involve the Department for Transport.

What are the biggest challenges facing the W2CL?

That's the multi-million dollar question. The overall success of the scheme is dependent on what is deemed viable and how much funding can be secured.

A cycling route for example could probably be done by local authorities within Hertfordshire but if planners decide to press ahead with a more fulfilling and complex scheme, such as light rail, then major investment would be needed.

The biggest hurdle is set to be finding a way of linking Watford with Croxley station.

The MLX would have seen a viaduct built over the Grand Union Canal and A412 which Mr Thacker acknowledges is "hugely expensive". It is the concept ideas, which are expected to be presented in autumn 2022, that could help provide a better understanding of how the W2CL can be linked to Croxley station.

Watford county councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst says the W2CL "will not work" if it does not link to existing transport hubs such as Croxley station and Watford Junction. "It has to provide that Met line link", he added.

An artist impression of a viaduct over the A412 as part of the now cancelled Met Line extension. Credit: Vinci Construction

When could the W2CL be built?

This would be totally dependent on the type of scheme it is and if the money can be secured.

If it's a light rail scheme, it could take several years whereas a cycling or walking route could be done relatively quickly. Watford Borough Council tell us they'd like to deliver a scheme "as soon as possible".

By the end of 2022, we should know a lot more about what kind of scheme planners would like to take on.

Could the W2CL link to other transport schemes?

The intention, firstly is to tie it in with Croxley and Watford Junction railway stations, which would provide a range of further connectivity options.

If it goes to Watford Junction, it might well tie in with the proposed HERT - a mass rapid transit scheme following the A414 corridor across Hertfordshire and into west Essex.

There is talk of a spur line into Watford making use of the Abbey Line, which runs between Watford Junction and St Albans.