Rail link viaduct would threaten pre-school (From Watford Observer)

Croxley Rail Link would threaten Rickmansworth, Watford and District Sea Cadets and Morris Minors pre-school

12:29pm Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News By Adam Binnie, Senior Reporter

A viaduct taking rail traffic into Watford via Croxley Green will threaten a pre-school and Sea Cadets club, an inquiry heard today.

Representatives from the Rickmansworth, Watford and District Sea Cadets and the Morris Minors pre-school laid out their concerns at a public inquiry into the Croxley Rail Link this morning.

The project will take metropolitan line trains from Croxley Green, through West Watford, and into Watford Junction station. This will require a large viaduct to be built across the A412 between Croxley Green and Watford.

Fabian Hiscock, from the Sea Cadets, said the viaduct will pass "within feet" of the building, which is situated on the Two Bridges roundabout.

The Morris Minors pre-school was opened in 1998, for children aged between two and five years, and moved to the Sea Cadets’ building in 2002 due to enlarged numbers Martin Morris, from the school, said: "We rent the land from the cadets, which helps keep them afloat.

"Potential parents visiting the school for the first time could be deterred by the noise and disturbance.

"A reduction of numbers in the pre-school will threaten its financial viability, which will in turn affect the sea cadets.

Fabian Hiscock from the Sea Cadets said: "This will pass within feet of the building, and construction will take place on its doorstep.

"During construction we expect the noise levels to be really high, especially during the piling works happening only a few yards from our perimeter fence.

"It will cause interference in operation for both groups, and we are concerned parents will find it too unpleasant to continue."

Mr Hiscock also suggested there was a great risk of accident, with parents and children arriving on foot down a narrow shared access road, which will be used by exiting heavy goods vehicles leaving the site.

The inquiry continues.