Somewhat remarkably I write basically the same letter to the Watford Observer for at least the fourth time in the last fifty years.

There is a very good reason for Epping, which is in Essex (not “technically” in Essex) and is the same distance from Charing Cross as Watford, being in Zone 6, but passengers from the Watford stations being charged markedly higher fares.

Under the 1935 proposals for extension of the Central Line a proposal was made to extend the line from Stratford (in London) to take over the Great Eastern Railway’s line to Epping and the Fairlop Loop. This was finally achieved - due to delay caused by World War II - in 1949. Essex County Council, recognising the benefit to the people of Essex agreed to make a contribution to the costs of the running of this line, which they continue to do to this day.

Hertfordshire (and Buckinghamshire for that matter) have always refused to come such an arrangement - the later Robert Gordon in particular as a Hertfordshire County Councillor was most adamant in refusing to consider it.

The petition that various local politicians presented to the Greater London Authority should have been presented to County Hall at Hertford - it is no responsibility of the ratepayers of London to support travel from Hertfordshire in London.

The anomaly should have been solved by the creation of the London Borough of Colne in 1965, but that, of course, is another story (and another argument!)

Christopher Horne

By email