Reopening a disused railway station could help fix Watford’s public transport, campaigners say.
The Watford Green Party has launched a petition to "bring back West Watford Station" - claiming it would revitalise the area and provide a key link to Watford General Hospital, Vicarage Road Stadium, and nearby schools.
Formerly a stop between Watford High Street and Croxley Green, services declined in the 1990s before the station officially closed in 2003. It is now completely overgrown.
Watford Green Party chairman Jake Mitchell said: “Frankly, the fact of the matter is that there are still a lot of areas in Watford, West Watford being one of them, that have been left to decline.
“Watford transport is in ruins at this point so we need to take action and take it into our own hands and start fixing it. West Watford is a good start and actually would help improving it.”
The idea was prompted by recent cuts to some of the bus services that ultimately replaced the West Watford rail links.
Reaction to the idea in West Watford so far has been very positive, the 19-year-old Holywell resident said.
The petition has gathered 101 signatures and been particularly popular with parents of children at Westfield Academy and Laurence Haines School.
“Parents are struggling to get to school on time and get home on time,” Mr Mitchell added.
“People are struggling to park down there. If there was a train station, that would solve a lot of issues.”
West Watford Station would also provide an easier route for Watford FC fans to get to games as well as helping residents get into the town centre and opening up opportunities to commute into London.
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The Green Party plans to deliver the petition as a call for the area’s councils to take up the cause. Its vision is for a branch extending the Lioness London Overground Line from Watford High Street.
This could then fit in to the potential restoration of the Watford to Croxley Link, if that project goes ahead.
Hertfordshire County Council and Network Rail have been contacted for comment.
