A Watford-based company has clinched the contract to design the £118 million Croxley Rail Link scheme.

Taylor Woodrow, which has offices in Clarendon Road, will draw up the engineering plans to route the Metropolitan Line from Croxley station though to Watford Junction.

The project will involve building a new viaduct over the A412 and Grand Union Canal and is scheduled to begin in 2014, subject to ministerial approval.

The rail link will see two new Metropolitan Line stations created in Ascot Road and Vicarage Road after which will head through Watford High Street Station and terminate in Watford Junction.

The scheme could lead to the closure of Watford Metropolitan Station, which is not part of the new rail link. The final decision on the station is due to be made by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

Taylor Woodrow were appointed by Hertfordshire County Council, which is overseeing the rail link project along with London Underground.

Rob Smith, deputy director of environment at Hertfordshire County Council said: "We’ve appointed a contractor now because, even though we need to wait for the secretary of state’s approval before we can begin the construction phase, we want to get the detailed design work underway as soon as possible.

"We look forward to working with Taylor Woodrow to move this scheme off the drawing board and on to the ground."

The Secretary of State for Transport is currently considering the outcome of the public inquiry into the draft Transport and Works Act Order which would grant the county council and London Underground the legal powers needed to build, operate and maintain the new section of railway.