Proposals to extend Crossrail to Hertfordshire to be announced
Proposals
to extend Crossrail to Hertfordshire are being considered by the
government, the transport secretary is expected to announce later.
Extending the service would reduce journey times between London and Hertfordshire by up to 16 minutes.
At the Crossrail site at Farringdon in central London,
Patrick McLoughlin is expected to outline the benefits of extending the
link.
Business groups in the area said an extension would drive economic growth.
Mr McLoughlin is expected to say the proposals would take the
pressure off the Tube's busiest sections and make it easier to improve
Euston, which will have 11 new platforms built under proposals for the
HS2 high-speed rail project between London and the West Midlands.
Under the plans, stations likely to get Crossrail services
will include Tring, Hemel Hempstead, Watford Junction, Berkhamstead and
Harrow and Wealdstone.
The Crossrail project is the first complete new underground line in London since the late 1960s
Yolanda Rugg, chief executive officer at the Hertfordshire
Chamber of Commerce, said the announcement would be "a catalyst to drive
economic growth" in the area.
"It will provide vital high-speed transport connectivity from
London to the new Watford Health Campus, and to the financial and
creative services sectors," she said.
Under the proposals stations likely to get Crossrail services include Tring and Hemel Hempstead
Journey times if Crossrail is extended to Hertfordshire
• Tring to Liverpool Street - 57 minutes (a reduction of 13 minutes)
• Watford Junction to Canary Wharf - 43 minutes (a reduction of 12 minutes)
• Tring to Bond Street - 55 minutes - (a reduction of 16 minutes)
• Watford Junction to Liverpool Street - 37 minutes (a reduction of 13 minutes)
Source: Department for Transport
