Let’s look at some facts as regards the Met Line Extension. The London Mayoral Directive from last September from London’s Labour Mayor Khan shows that he decided to back out of the project unless additional funding was forthcoming to back up what TfL said the project would cost.

The project is now projected to cost £357 million, including £45 million for overspends. So in other words we can all understand the need for the extra money.

In January after work by Watford Borough Council, Herts County Council, Richard Harrington MP and Mayor Dorothy Thornhill, the Government agreed to secure an extra £73.4 million (on top of the £110 million already secured from the Department for Transport) to cover the gap.

In addition, the Government agreed to transfer land worth up to another £40 million to TfL for future developments/sale. So having got to the magic £357 million, the Mayor of London still refuses to help deliver the rest of the project.

This blows out of the water totally Labour’s invented claim about lack the government support.

Of the £357 million, with built in cost overrun of £46 million, only £49 million funding is coming from TfL, based on their fare income. That is just 13 per cent of the total as the rest has come from Hertfordshire County Council, Watford Borough Council and the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

£71.2 million has already been spent.

With so much planning, design and an Act of Parliament in place, it would be stupid and foolhardy to stop now.

Mayor Khan said in his Mayoral Directive: “The key objectives for the MLX are to provide a catalyst for regeneration and growth in the Watford area and improve sustainable connectivity between south west Hertfordshire and North West London.”

So as one person once said “Nothing has changed”.

And now the money Mayor Khan wanted has been secured, so why back out?

Labour Cllr Bell says he was not told about the motion that is to be debated at County Hall on February 22. What he does not tell you is that at an all party leaders meeting where his county group leader was present on Feb 1, I raised the need for a motion to full council, so the Labour group were aware. Given Cllr Bell’s support for Mayor Khan’s stance it’s no surprise he is quoted as attacking our support!

It is time for Watford Labour party to back Watford and Herts residents and help us persuade TfL and Mayor Khan to complete this essential project and not defend Mayor Khan’s decision.

I understand that Mayor Dorothy Thornhill has secured a further meeting with TfL on Friday to further this case. The battle is far from over, which why we also have an online petition at www.tinyurl.com/metlinepetition

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst

Liberal Democrat Leader on Herts County Council