From Watford Observer Friday, January 23, 2004

Future is bleak for Croxley Rail Link

Confusion surrounds the future of the Croxley Rail Link with the Government and
London Underground blaming each other for the scheme's recent failure to secure
funding.
And in a separate development this week it emerged that the link, which has
been dogged by delays and setbacks, faces being scrapped altogether as the
project site could be sold to developers next year.
This week, the Department of Transport (DFT) agreed to consider funding the
£97million project but only if Tube bosses back it by paying about 25 per cent
of the overall cost.
In a letter to transport watchdog, the London Transport Users Committee (LTUC)
transport minister Tony McNulty said the proposal to link the Metropolitan Line
to Watford Junction was "very commendable" and had "technical merit".
But London Underground has flatly refused to stump up any cash until the
Government does the same.
"We are disappointed at the recent decision by the DFT not to grant the funding
for the link at this stage" said spokeswoman Ann Laker.
And at a Watford Council cabinet meeting on Monday, the confusion deepened
further when corporate director Mike Hayes told councillors that the scheme had
only just lost out on Government funding last month.
"It is a sorry tale because the story from the Government officers is that the
plan in the bidding process was doing extremely well until the last minute," he
said.
Meanwhile, the LTUC warned this week that time is running out for the scheme.
From 2005 Network Rail can sell the land off, the group said.
"This golden opportunity to regenerate Watford's transport infrastructure could
be lost if London Underground doesn't agree to invest in the future of
passengers," said committee director Rufus Barnes.
"This is a relatively small rail scheme compared with Crossrail Thameslink 2000
or even the East London line extensions, but the benefits to users will be
substantial.
"It would be a disaster if the present opportunity to build it were to be lost
forever."
London Underground said it would hold urgent talks with the Government to
discuss how to resolve the impasse.


John Burke
Watford Rail User Group