A Hertfordshire county councillor is “flabbergasted” the plans for the Met Line extension has been rejected by the Mayor of London despite a financial contribution from the council.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst said: “I’m staggered that the Mayor of London is still refusing to back the project. It would still be a huge deal for north London and many areas of south west Hertfordshire - not just Watford.

“The county council and Watford Borough Council have all put money in and some of this has been spent by Transport for London already. What on earth are they playing at?”

Cllr David Williams, leader of Hertfordshire County Council said: “We are hugely disappointed that, despite our best efforts, and a commitment to fund the scheme from ourselves, central government and others, Transport for London is not willing to help us make the project to extend the Metropolitan Line to Watford Junction (MLX) a reality.

“It really does feel like a short-sighted decision by TfL and completely at odds with the Mayor of London’s Draft London Plan which is seeking to increase collaboration across the Wider South East and adopt a strategic approach to transport.”

“The benefits of improving sustainable transport links not just with Central London but also across North West London remain clear. Commuters are not just travelling in one direction. London residents commute into Watford for jobs with employers such TJX Europe (parent company of TK Maxx) and KPMG. MLX would also transform Metropolitan Line connectivity with the West Coast Mainline at Watford Junction, as well as unlocking housing development to help meet housing needs across the wider area.”

“As concrete evidence of the significance of the plans, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Transport offered a further £73.4m to the fund scheme.

“The council, as the sponsor of MLX, will continue to work with Watford Borough Council, the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, MP Richard Harrington and the government to try to move the project forward.”