The Watford to St Albans Tram Link, a feared casualty of swingeing cuts to public spending, will go ahead, the town’s new MP said this morning.

Richard Harrington, who came to power in May, said he was assured this morning that the project would definitely go ahead by the Department for Transport.

The project, announced in October, will convert the existing Watford to St Albans rail link into a tram system, possibly by the end of 2011.

As reported by the Watford Observer today it was feared that the project could have fallen victim to cuts in public spending – along with the Croxley Rail Link and Watford Junction Interchange.

Mr Harrington, however, says he obtained a guarantee from the department this morning that the project would get the green light.

He said: “I have been assured by the ministry [Department for Transport] this morning that the project is going to go through.

“I am very pleased about that because it shows that the Government in listening and is keen to further these important investment schemes for Watford.”

If all goes to plan the two carriage trams will be able to run two or three services an hour along the six-and-a-half mile line, depending on which of two proposed passing loop systems is adopted. That would represent a big improvement on the current 45 minute intervals.

When formal approval is given, Hertfordshire County Council, which will adopt the line, can begin a tendering process to find a private operator for the line.

The Department for Transport has not yet confirmed the announcement.