A bid to increase the number of trains running between Watford and St Albans has failed to receive support from Government.

Campaigners were hoping to secure funding to reinstate a ‘passing loop’ on the Abbey Line, which runs between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey stations.

The loop would allow two trains to run at the same time on the single-line track by creating a siding.

The Government had awarded £50,000 to develop the idea as part of its £500 million Restoring Your Railways fund but further scrutiny means the project will not be taken forward.

Read more: Passing loop for Abbey Line receives £50,000 project investment

The Friends of the Abbey Flyer group described the Department for Transport’s decision as “very disappointing”. This was echoed by Watford mayor Peter Taylor.

Meanwhile St Albans MP Daisy Cooper, who backed the scheme along with Watford MP Dean Russell, said the Government is “continuing to overlook Hertfordshire”.

Mrs Cooper added: “I’ve been fighting for improvements to the Abbey Flyer Line since becoming elected, so this decision to reject what could be a critical piece of rail infrastructure is deeply disappointing.”

Watford Observer: Abbey Line. Credit: Nigel CoxAbbey Line. Credit: Nigel Cox (Image: Google)

According to a letter from the DfT to the MPs, the project failed because the application did not “contain sufficient evidence of passenger demand to warrant the proposed increase in frequency”.

The service currently runs every 45 minutes, stopping at stations including Watford North, Garston, Bricket Wood, How Wood, and Park Street.

Mrs Cooper added the Abbey Flyer Users Group carried out a feasibility study that showed it was viable to reinstate the loop.

The Liberal Democrat politician says she has not given up on the project and says she written to Hertfordshire County Council, which has also backed a loop, asking what further steps it will be taking to address the issues identified by the DfT.

Mr Russell has been approached for comment.

Watford Observer: The line runs between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey. Credit: Stephen DanzigThe line runs between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey. Credit: Stephen Danzig (Image: Stephen Danzig)

A total of nine projects have been given the green light by Government to progress to the next stage of the railway fund.

The funding is specifically being used to reopen stations and lines.