Funding package complete for extension of Metropolitan line

London Underground have today confirmed that plans are in place to start construction on the extension of the Metropolitan line next year.

The funding packing between the Department for Transport, Hertfordshire County Council and Transport for London has been agreed, with the work being delivered by London Underground. The total cost of the project amounts to £284.4M, with TfL providing £49.23M, DfT funding £109.92M and local funding providing the remaining £125.35M. Hertfordshire Local Enterprise has committed £87.85M to the new project, 40% of its total Growth Deal Funding from the Government.

Two new stations will be built at Cassiobridge and Watford Vicarage Road, which will create over 6,500 permanent jobs and a £2Bn boost to the local economy. New walkthrough air-conditioned trains will run every ten minutes to and from Central London during the peak hours, supporting growth in and around Watford by making journeys to London easier.

The Underground will be connected to the West Coast Mainline via the station at Watford Junction, and the two new stations will also provide new connections to Watford General Hospital and new Health Campus, Croxley Business Park and Cardiff Road Industrial Estate.

Nick Brown, Managing Director of LU, said: “For 100 years, the Tube has been enabling growth in ‘Metro-land’ and this new part of the Underground network will support further rapid development in the area. By 2020 we will have built a 400m viaduct, two completely new stations and numerous new and reconstructed bridges along the route, transforming transport links in Watford. With the funding package complete we’re now turning all our attention to appointing contractors, finalising designs and beginning construction in 2016.”

The research into the economic benefits was undertaken by Hertfordshire County Council and Watford Borough Council.

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