Cheaper fares won’t be coming to Watford after the Mayor of London rejected a 6,000 strong petition calling on Watford’s stations to be rezoned.

The Lib Dems have been campaigning over the past few months in a mission to get Transport for London to rezone stations in Watford and the surrounding areas to zone six.

Commuters pay £1,000 more than people living in Epping, Essex, despite travelling similar distances into central London.

But Sadiq Khan brushed the petition aside when it was presented to him by Lib Dem assembly member Caroline Pidgeon.

Mr Khan said it was “extremely rare” that TfL would decide to rezone stations, largely due to revenue impacts.

The petition which was presented on September 6 could have seen commuters using Watford Junction, Watford High Street, Watford Met, Bushey, and Carpenders Park, get a better deal.

His letter in response added: “I understand the desire to see this change and appreciate this would result in lower fares. However there are no plans to make changes to the zoning of individual stations.

“I am instead focused on making travel affordable for all Londoners.”

Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor was clearly disappointed with the outcome of his party’s petition.

He said: “On top of the failure of the Met line extension, residents have once again been let down.

“Watford commuters are getting a raw deal at the moment. In my recent survey of Watford commuters, nearly 70 per cent of those who responded said that rezoning Watford stations is the main thing that would improve their journey.

“It simply isn’t fair that commuters living in Watford are paying so much more than commuters in other places who travel the same distance into central London. I want all zoning to be looked at. Places like Watford shouldn’t keep losing out to illogical and outdated arrangements.”

Callowland councillor Ian Stotesbury added: “We may not be London voters but a large number of Watford residents travel into London. We make a huge contribution to the capital’s economy.

“We'll be writing to Department of Transport, Hertfordshire County Council and the train operators in hope of getting a better deal for Watford commuters. I hope TfL and the Mayor of London will give it the attention it deserves.”