Plans for 'Watford 2 Croxley' transport link take another step

The Watford 2 Croxley Link is a proposed scheme to improve public transport connectivity in Watford and into neighbouring Three Rivers District.

Any scheme is set to make use of the route that the extended Met Line (MLX) would have taken before the project was cancelled by London mayor Sadiq Khan in 2017.

Planners in Hertfordshire have not given up providing a transport link with funding of £300,000 being sourced to come up with ideas of what could be feasible.

Hertfordshire County Council, which is playing a pivotal role in these latest plans, has "ruled nothing out", with schemes such as walking, cycling, and light rail under consideration.

Related: What we know (and don't know) about 'W2CL '- the mooted MLX alternative

Disused railway line in West Watford that could form part of the Watford 2 Croxley Link. Credit: Nigel Cox (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Watford Borough Council is also very supportive of the Watford 2 Croxley Link and at a Cabinet meeting on February 28, members agreed to set aside £150,000 for experts to come up with designs of what could be created.

The funding has come from community infrastructure levy money which is provided by developers to support the delivery of new infrastructure such as transport.

Mayor Peter Taylor said: "Securing the right solution for the Watford to Croxley Link is an important part of our overall plans for future travel in Watford. A link that connects Croxley and West Watford to the centre of the town will be a real boost for Watford residents, businesses and our community.

"This is why we are providing funding, and taking a lead role in the project and will continue to fight to make this opportunity a reality.

"It is great to see that there is already interest from a number of companies to work with us and I look forward to seeing their solutions for Watford later this year. We must make this connection a reality."

The county and borough council are also looking to work with and secure funding from Three Rivers District Council for this initial design work with Network Rail and Transport for London also involved in the project, although the latter is not expected to provide funding.

The proposed Met Line extension map before it was scrapped

The Met Line extension 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.

Any alternative scheme will be subject to funding while one of the biggest hurdles, depending on the type of transport that is taken forward, is connecting Watford with Croxley station. MLX involved the creation of a viaduct.

A clearer idea of what could be taken forward to make the Watford 2 Croxley Link a reality is expected by this autumn.