Metropolitan Line Extension funding confirmed

Construction on the Metropolitan Line Extension will begin next year following a full funding package agreement on the former Croxley Rail Link due for completion in 2020.

London Underground has confirmed work to re-route and extend the Metropolitan line to Watford Junction will begin next year thanks to a funding agreement between the Department for Transport (DfT), Hertfordshire County Council and Transport for London (TfL). At a cost of £284.4m, the funding package comprises of £49.23m from TfL, £284.4m from local funding and £109.82m from the DfT.

Metropolitan line Extension to provide £2bn boost to the local economy

Completion of the Metropolitan line Extension is said to deliver 6,500 permanent jobs and provide a 2bn boost to the local economy thanks to the construction of new stations at Cassiobridge and Watford Vicarage Road. The line will be served by new walk-through air-conditioned trains every ten minutes, via Watford Junction and Watford High Street stations, to and from central London during peak hours. The Underground will also be connected to the West Coast Mainline via the station at Watford Junction.

The existing Watford Metropolitan station will close to the public following the opening of the new stations, but will be retained as sidings for the extended railway.

Nick Brown, Managing Director of LU, said: “For 100 years, the Tube has been enabling growth in ‘Metro-land’ and this new part of the Underground network will support further rapid development in the area. By 2020 we will have built a 400m viaduct, two completely new stations and numerous new and reconstructed bridges along the route, transforming transport links in Watford. With the funding package complete we’re now turning all our attention to appointing contractors, finalising designs and beginning construction in 2016.”

Derrick Ashley, Hertfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Hertfordshire County Council is a proud partner in the development of the Metropolitan Line Extension, which will make travel in and out of central London much easier for people in Watford and the surrounding areas. The line extension, alongside development in the area, presents a raft of fresh opportunities for Hertfordshire, including the potential for thousands of new jobs and a boost to the local economy. As one of the funding partners for this project, it is positive to see this exciting project come to fruition.”

Additional information about the Metropolitan line Extension can be found here.