Deadline set for rail link funding (From Watford Observer)

Deadline set for rail link funding

4:20pm Tuesday 9th March 2004

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CRUCIAL funding for the much anticipated Croxley Rail Link has to be finalised in the next three months if it is to succeed, Watford Council warned last week.

The scheme, which has so far failed to secure Government funding, needs confirmation from London Underground on how much it will invest in the project before the Treasury completes a review of its spending in June.

This review could affect how much budget is awarded to future projects such as the Croxley Rail Link, and councillors are concerned cost over-runs in the rail industry may mean rail projects are greeted with a "fair amount of scepticism" once the review is completed.

The rail link would connect Watford Junction to the Metropolitan Line, giving commuters better access to central London.

But it is estimated the cost could be somewhere in the region of £97million, with roughly £70million coming from central government and a quarter being supplied by London Underground.

A London Underground spokesman said: "We are working together to seek a way forward for this important scheme without further delay."

The scheme, which has been dogged by setbacks, was given fresh hopes last week when a proposed bus project in Luton fell through, leading many to believe Watford could be given funding set aside for the aborted project.

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