A campaign for an extra train to run between Watford and St Albans to increase the frequency of the service has failed.

The Abbey Flyer, also known as the Abbey Line, runs on a 45 minute time table, on a single-track.

The Abbey Flyer Users’ Group (ABFLY) pushed to have a passing loop for an additional train to be added to the line, but it was denied.

The Department for Transport decided that the motion will not be included in the government’s ‘Stakeholder Briefing Document’ for the West Midlands franchise competition, claiming that not enough people use the line and that it would be too costly.

Dave Horton, chairman of the Abbey Flyer Users’ Group, said: “The issue is that the number of people using the service is not being counted properly because it is done on ticket sales.

"From Watford to St Albans, there are seven stops and only two of those stops have barriers. While many people are honest enough to pay for their ticket, not everyone does.”

He added: “It would make a huge difference to passengers if the train was more frequent.

“If we had two trains running, the service could be every 20 to 30 minutes. I believe that the 45 minute wait puts people off.

"The change would make the line more attractive to users.”

There was once a passing loop at Bricket Wood station and ABFLY feel that there is still space for one to be laid down on the land that is owned by Network Rail.

The Stakeholder Briefing Document will be provided to the new franchise and summarises the responses to the consultation that was carried out between December 2015 and March 2016.

It also includes a description of what has been included in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the new franchise which is scheduled to begin in October 2017.

Despite not expanding the service, the line will benefit from a later train service and a Sunday service with a higher frequency, matching the Monday to Saturday trains.

The Department for Transport did not provide a comment before publication.