The Croxley rail link scheme that would link Northwood Hills and Northwood branch of the Metroploitan line with Watford High St and Watford Junction has moved into the development phase which means that the economic case is high enough for it to be considered alongside other schemes across England.
Here is the text of the letter I have received on the subject from them as part of the Watford Rail Users group being informed:
Dear James,
We are pleased to announce that the Department for Transport (DfT) announced on the 4th February 2011 that after rigorous assessment, as part of the Coalition Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, the Croxley Rail Link scheme has entered into the ‘Development Pool’ group of projects. This means that the DfT acknowledges that the scheme represents good value for money, and enables the Croxley Rail Link to compete with other selected projects in the development pool for funding.
Stuart Pile, Hertfordshire County Council’s Executive Member for Highways and Transport, said: “This is fantastic news for the scheme and for Hertfordshire’s residents. Securing a place in the next stage towards funding is a great achievement at a time when public finances are so tight. Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), London Underground and Network Rail will now progress towards obtaining powers to construct the scheme through the submission of a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO).”
Following the outcome of the 2010 general election all investment decisions for local major transport schemes were put on hold pending the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review. The DfT announced the proposed programme for funding for the various transport schemes in October 2010 and the Croxley Rail Link was included within the 'pre-qualification group' of projects where a further preliminary assessment was required by the DfT. HCC submitted an ‘Expression of Interest’ to the DfT on 4th January 2011 which has been successful in securing progress for the scheme. The ‘Expression of Interest’ has been supported by the Elected Mayor of Watford, Dorothy Thornhill and Watford’s MP, Richard Harrington.
HCC and the other scheme partners will now focus their attention on compiling the ‘Best and Final Funding Bid’ to be submitted in September 2011 as part of the next stage in the funding process. This bid will concentrate on the high benefit to cost ratio the scheme offers and providing sustainable infrastructure for the future. In parallel continued progress is planned to fulfil the statutory process required to submit a TWAO.
The project is committed to maintaining communication with stakeholders developing the proposals for the scheme to meet the needs of the local community. A full public consultation will take place in the near future.
Kind regards,
Leonie Dubois
Consultation Manager
Croxley Rail Link
www.CroxleyRailLink.com
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