Course set for extension of the Metropolitan line as funding package now complete
- London Underground aims to complete line extension and two new stations in 2020
- New Tube link will create over 6,500 jobs and benefit local economy by 2bn
- Work due to commence next year
London
Underground (LU) today confirmed that plans are in place to start
construction work on the extension of the Metropolitan line next year,
with the aim of completing the transformative new link in 2020.
Over
6,500 permanent jobs and a 2bn boost to the local economy will be
created as two new stations are built at Cassiobridge and Watford
Vicarage Road, served by new walk-through air-conditioned trains every
ten
minutes to and from central London during peak hours.
The
Metropolitan Line Extension will support growth and regeneration in and
around Watford by making journeys to and from London easier. The
Underground will be connected to the West Coast Mainline via the station
at Watford Junction, and the two new stations will also provide new
connections to Watford General Hospital and new Health Campus, Croxley
Business Park and Cardiff Road Industrial Estate.
A
full funding package for the extension has now been agreed between the
Department for Transport (DfT), Hertfordshire County Council and
Transport for London (TfL), and the work will be delivered by LU. 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.”
Hertfordshire
Local Enterprise Partnership has committed 87.85m to the new Tube link,
which is 40 per cent of its total Growth Deal funding from Government.
Chairman John Gourd said: “We have worked hard with our
partners including Hertfordshire County Council and Watford Borough
Council and are delighted to have now reached this exciting stage. The
Metropolitan Line Extension will unlock investment in brownfield sites,
revitalise existing employment areas and bring
considerable job opportunities and economic benefits to Watford and the
wider community. As the second largest funder this demonstrates the
huge importance that we attach to this project which will help realise
our priority to deliver at least 1,400 jobs in
the M1/M25 area by 2021.”
Manny
Lewis, Managing Director for Watford Borough Council, said: "The
Metropolitan Line Extension to Watford is a key transformational project
for the town - its residents, visitors, businesses and investors.
As well as providing significantly improved transport choices for local
people, the project is absolutely critical to unlocking Watford's
future economic and regeneration potential. The extended Metropolitan
Line will bring over 1.4bn of investment into the
town, helping create thousands of jobs by supporting the delivery of
major projects like the Watford Health Campus, Watford Business Park,
Ascot Road and the redevelopment of Charter Place Shopping Centre. We
have worked really hard behind the scenes with
key stakeholders and funding partners to help make this happen and look
forward to supporting London Underground Ltd as they work towards
physically delivering the project on the ground."
Steven Halls, Chief Executive, Three Rivers District Council, said:
“Three Rivers has formally supported the Croxley Rail Link since 1996
because excellent rail and Underground links are a vital
part of the economic success of the district. The expansion of
the Metropolitan line will give a powerful boost to businesses and for
creating jobs in Croxley Green as well providing extra
travel options for residents, reducing carbon emissions and
congestion on our roads. We are working very closely with the
partnership and will do our best to make sure that the inevitable
disruption to local residents, businesses and the environment will
be kept to a minimum.”
