Watford MP Richard Harrington and Watford Mayor Dorothy Thornhill have welcomed news that the Department for Transport have passed an Act allowing significant work on the Croxley Rail Link to begin.
· 2 New Stations
· Due to open in 2016
· Significant investment in Watford
The Croxley Rail Link project took a significant step forward with the Department for Transport granting the Transport Works Act Order. The Order is the formal confirmation that proposed plans can go ahead and makes the necessary provisions in obtaining the land and use of existing frameworks for the development to progress. With the Order now obtained, Herts County Council and other partners are able to start the work to ensure the tabled plans go ahead, allowing the Rail Link to open on schedule in 2016.
As part of the TWA Order, Transport for London had to pass a final decision on the future of the Watford Met Station. Although many representations were made by local politicians, residents and interest groups to keep the station open, the Mayor of London made the decision that it was necessary to close the station to allow for the new Rail Link.
Richard Harrington and Dorothy Thornhill have been working closely with Hertfordshire County Council, the Department for Transport, Transport for London and other partners to keep the Rail Link project on track. Today’s development is an important stage in the project which will link Watford Junction station to Croxley and create 2 new underground stations in Watford. Having been discussed for many decades the Croxley Rail Link has been made possible following significant investment from the Government and is set to regenerate the most deprived parts of Watford as well as cement the town’s reputation and capacity as a transport and business hub.
Richard said:
“This announcement is hugely important for the future of the Croxley Rail Link, and in turn for the future of the town. We have been pushing for this Order at the highest level for some time and I am very pleased that it now has the go ahead.
“From my regular meetings with Herts Country Council and others I know how key this decision was and I am looking forward to seeing the next steps in action. Naturally I am very disappointed that our efforts to keep the Met station open were not successful but I do think that it has been necessary in securing the viability of the project as a whole and the benefits it will bring across the board.
“After decades of this project being on the table I am delighted that investment from this Government is finally making the Rail Link a reality. The positive impact that the Rail Link is going to have on residents and businesses in Watford cannot be underestimated and I am grateful for all the work of the DfT, TfL in this latest step.”
Dorothy Thornhill said: "At last we've got the news we've been waiting decades to hear, that this exciting project will indeed happen. It will make a huge, positive difference to the people living in West Watford and help to rejuvenate this part of town. I am disappointed about the closure of Watford Met station - local councillors fought hard to keep it open - but considerably more people will benefit from the new station plans than from the existing rail links."
Boris Johnson said:
There is no clearer path to securing new jobs and growth than investing in transport infrastructure, and I am very pleased that the long sought Croxley rail link now has the go ahead. Linking the Tube to the busy town centre in Watford, as well as to the important National Rail and London Overground interchange at Watford junction, has the potential to lead to considerable economic benefits for local people and also the wider region.”