I would like to challenge Ernie MacKenzie in some of the issues raised in his recent correspondence about the Croxley Link (Invest in failing services, Watford Observer letters page, September 23).

Sadiq Khan did not refuse to fund the Croxley Link. The funding had already been found from various sources including the East of England Development Agency.

What he refused to do was accept financial liability for any overspend, not a surprise when TfL's financial state was revealed several months later.

While I would question the value for money of the fees for consultants, both Watford borough and Herts county councils have been open about the employment of consultants.

The important question is, have they been given the right brief? Experience from the failure of the Abbey Line passing loop bid to the Restoring Your Railway fund might indicate that the councils have their own agenda.

There is no evidence that some of the 1.8 million people using Watford Metropolitan station would not use the alternative new stations, or indeed as is starting to become evident travel less for work.

Perhaps also, Mr MacKenzie would like to clarify if the petition (which I have been unable to find) is objecting to the link altogether or just the closure of the Cassiobury station.

As a final point I know, as Mr Freitag said, the Watford Rail Users Group believe in a heavy rail solution including proper connection to the Chiltern Line, but not at any cost. Part of their campaign has always been to drive costs down and challenge Network Rail’s apparently excessive budgets.

Robin Hall

by email