Benefits -

Benefits of the Scheme

Approximately 2,700 net additional households will fall within an 800m catchment area of a station
Improved East-West public transport connection for Watford and Croxley Green
Will provide an important public transport link for patients and employees of the existing hospital and planned Watford Health Campus
Supports economic development in Watford by providing first class transport links to business and retail centres
Provides an Underground rail link to central London for all of Watford's residents and will supplement existing passenger services from Watford Junction and Watford High Street. On completion of the proposed rail link up to 16 trains an hour will link the town with London

harlequin commuters Watfrod Junction v2

Further information about the benefits anticipated by the scheme can be found in the Major Scheme Business Case which has been submitted to the Department for Transport. Please follow the links at the bottom of the page to access this document.

Business Case

The population of Watford is currently 81,200 (2006), this is projected to grow by 15% by 2030. This growth is putting increasing strain on a local transport infrastructure that is already over utilised. Existing trunk roads and local road networks already feature junctions that are at or above practical capacity and with expected traffic growth of 20% before 2028 this is clearly unsustainable.

The Croxley Rail link has the full support of the new Watford Health Campus development in that it will provide a regular and reliable public transport link for employees and patients to travel to the Campus from a wide area.

Watford has been designated within the East of England Plan as a Key Centre for Development and Change (KCDC) within the London Arc. Its economy has grown over recent years, especially in the retail sector, and it is set to grow further therefore it is essential that we unlock the full economic potential of Watford by improving local infrastructure.

Sites of economic importance that lie in the immediate vicinity of the Croxley Rail Link corridor include:

The Harlequin Shopping Centre
Watford General Hospital
Watford Football Club
Croxley Business Park
Cardiff Road Industrial Estate

Attachments

Major Scheme Business Case - Executive Summary

Major Scheme Business Case - Main Report

You can find a copy of the Croxley Rail Link Expression of Interest that was submitted to the DfT as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review in January 2011 on their website: www.dft.gov.uk

Croxley Rail Link Best and Final Funding Bid Documents

Please note that the Department for Transport (DfT) welcome comments from external parties on the bids that they have received.

The comment period will run from 9th September to October 14th and will be open to anyone who wishes to submit a relevant comment on the proposals.

A dedicated email address has been established for comments:

development.pool@dft.gsi.gov.uk

(This email should only be used to provide comments on the BAFB to the DfT, please continue to use info@croxleyraillink.com should you wish to get in contact with the project team directly.)

BAFB Form

Cost Report

Economic Appraisal Report

Scheme Development Report

Alternatives Report

Value for Money Annex

Powers and Consents Note

Social and Distributional Impact Appraisal

Risk Register

Monitoring and Evaluation Proposals

Heads of Terms

Procurement Strategy