Funding Announcement December 2011 -

Funding Announcement December 2011

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

We are delighted to announce that Croxley Rail Link has been awarded the necessary central government funding required for its construction.

Led by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) the project submitted a best and final funding bid to the Department for Transport on 9 September 2011. This bid outlined the benefits of the scheme and the funding model required for its implementation.

Cllr Stuart Pile, Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport said "Obviously we're delighted that the Croxley Rail Link has been awarded this funding. We've all been talking about this project for many years and we're thrilled that we will finally be able to go ahead with the scheme, which will bring real economic and transport benefits to the south-west of the county."

"We know that lack of transport infrastructure is one of the things holding back economic development in the area, so investment like this will make a real difference to the local economy."

The Mayor of London and Transport for London have been working with HCC on the plans throughout to provide information and support to help shape the proposals.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "I have long supported the Croxley Rail Link scheme seeking to unlock a raft of economic, housing and environmental benefits coming from better transport links between Watford, Hertfordshire and London as a whole . It is extremely welcome news to hear that funding for this rail link is now secured, which is now set to underpin the importance of Watford as a key transport hub for the capital."

HCC and London Underground (LU) will now proceed through the Transport and Works Act Order process which is the statutory means for gaining the powers to construct, operate and maintain the link.

The Croxley Rail Link is a proposed diversion and extension of the Watford Branch of the Metropolitan line to Watford Junction via Watford High Street. New stations will be provided on the new rail link at Ascot Road, which forms a park and ride site for the area, and Vicarage Road serving the Watford General Hospital and the proposed Watford Health Campus development. As part of the proposals the existing Watford Metropolitan terminus station will close to passenger services. HCC, LU, Network Rail, Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council are working in partnership to deliver the project.

Following the funding announcement, it is now intended to submit the Transport and Works Act Order in early January 2012, after which a formal six week objections period will commence.