Rail bosses have been urged to reduce plans to close Watford Junction Station for a fortnight in the summer as part of a track improvement programme.

Network Rail bosses were lobbied last week by Watford’s MP Richard Harrington and elected mayor Dorothy Thornhill over the disruption the shutdown will cause to commuters in the town.

Watford Junction is due to be closed for five separate periods between May 2014 and April next year, as part of the £81 million works scheme.

Part of the programme includes renewing signalling power supplies between Kings Langley and Bushey along with relaying 15km of track and crossings and upgrading over line equipment.

The current schedule shows the Watford Junction will first close from May 3 to 5 and then from August 8 to 25 and then between December 25 to 29.

The works will also see closures in February 2015 from the 14th to 22nd and then between April 3 to 6.

Network Rail is currently reviewing the closure schedule and is due to announce any changes in the coming weeks.

Following meeting with Network Rail bosses, Mayor Thornhill said: "I have urged all parties involved to minimise disruption for passengers as closures will be a big deal to regular commuters.

"I’ve also assured them that we will do everything we can to help - we will work constructively together to ensure these much needed improvements to the line can take place as efficiently as possible."

Mr Harrington added: "Further to my meetings with Network Rail, I am pleased that they now hope to deliver the improvements to the line without a full 16 day closure in August.

"This week there should be a meeting with train operating companies to pin down more details and, once that is complete, I will be speaking to the Department for Transport and lobbying to ensure every effort is made to ease disruption".