Given that the lion’s share of the proposed Metropolitan Rail link’s half-billion pound cost was the Two Bridges viaduct, could we consider the use of tram-style trains as used in South London? These would leave the Met line at Baldwins Lane on a new lower bridge which includes crossing a new entrance to the proposed Cinnamond housing estate, then drop to ground level to cross the Two Bridges. There’s plenty of land to add a single track rail between the two “bridge” carriageways.

Then it would swing across at the end of Beggars Bush lane to cross Ascot Road with traffic lights. The Cassiobridge Station would be a single platform with level access, so no expensive lifts needed. Up the hill to West Watford the track would double.

Ideally the western terminus would be Rickmansworth, using its abandoned bay platform, but track access could be difficult across the sidings, so trains could reverse using new points on the Croxley North curve.

Trains would be battery-powered: an ideal use for a couple of new Vivarail D-stock carriages. This would go some way to providing decent public transport for all the imminent new dwellings sprouting in West Watford. It would also take pressure off Watford Junction’s saturated Euston services.

Nick King

Croxley Green