Decision date looms for Watford transport projects
Watford Observer 11:13am Friday 21st January 2011
By Michael Pickard
»A final decision on whether the Croxley rail link and Watford Junction redevelopment projects will go ahead is due later this month, it has been revealed.During a debate on the Government's new White Paper on local transport, led by Transport Minister Norman baker, Watford MP Richard Harrington asked for news about when a decision might be made by the Department of Transport.

He said: “In my constituency, we have two schemes that are before the department [of transport]. As far as I can see, they are entirely compatible with creating growth and cutting carbon through their benefits to the local economy and taking people off the roads.“Those are the Croxley rail link project and the Watford Junction project. May we have a decision on them as soon as possible? I hope that my honourable friend will be favourably inclined to grant them.”

Mr Baker replied: “I can assure him that the matters to which he refers are under active consideration. A timetable has been published and we will shortly be able to give him and others in the house detailed information about the decisions to be taken.”Following the debate, Mr Harrington said he would continue to “press this issue” ahead of a decision due later this month.He said: “Since my election I have been working hard with Watford Borough Council to impress upon the Government the great benefits that these projects would bring to our town.

“We have here a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, at relatively small cost to the tax payer, to provide a regeneration of some of the poorest areas of Watford, to create long lasting transport links and bring much needed money and footfall to the town.

“I used the opportunity to speak today, to remind the minister the importance of this vital project and to urge him to make a prompt and favourable decision. I will continue to press this issue with ministers in the forthcoming days before a final decision is made.

WRUG