The Mayor of Watford has revealed an extra £40million could be needed for the Met Line Extension to still go ahead.

During a Watford Borough Council meeting at the town hall last night, Dorothy Thornhill announced extra money would need to be coughed up for five miles of track on an existing disused railway line – where all the preparatory works have already been done.

Last Thursday Mayor of London Sadiq Khan told MP Richard Harrington that TfL were withdrawing from building the Met Line Extension despite the £73million shortfall being raised to help cushion “risks and overspends”.

However, Mayor Thornhill says she has been told another “incredulous” £40 million could be required to fully cover the risk.

She said: “I am left feeling that despite the rhetoric coming from the Mayor’s office we are paying the price for two political decisions.

“Firstly, the Conservative transport minister’s decision to withdraw £700million of funding from TFL. And secondly the Mayor’s pledge not to increase fares. This is politics I get it, but it does not make this decision right. Morally or economically.

“I have no doubt that TFL are between a rock and a hard place financially but we are funding this scheme Tfl agreed to build and deliver it and, until the goal posts were moved yet again this month.”

Mayor Thornhill added that she believes it is “still possible to take the next step” and work out what level of risk they will now be arguing over.

She explained: “It was fully funded including a comfortable risk package and we are now haggling over extra risk that has not been quantified.

“At the very least I believe that TFL should allow this fully worked up scheme to go out to the market and see if someone can build five miles of track for the budgeted amount.

“With the public money already sunk into this project, the promises made over many years, the backing and support of private business of high calibre worth to the UK, surely it is still possible to at least take the next step so we know exactly what level of risk we are arguing over. The good this scheme delivers is worth at least that.”

MP for Watford Richard Harrington has since said he believes Mayor Khan "never had any intention" of delivering the Met Line Extension.

He said: “Back in 2015, TfL was given £110 million from the Government to deliver the Met Line Extension. In June last year, they asked for a further £50 million, and by October they wanted another £73 million.

"Now I’m being told another £40 million is needed in case there are further cost overruns. This is despite the fact that TfL will keep the box revenue and has also been offered control of the tracks and air rights.

"The government has bent over backwards to accommodate Sadiq’s requests, and ensure this goes ahead. Let’s remember this is for five miles of track, and I’ve secured nearly £200 million. We’ve held up our end of the bargain, but I’m afraid the London Mayor will not deliver on his promises. I can’t help but think he never had any intention of doing this.”