The Metropolitan Line Extension is finally moving forward after the Mayor reversed his position on the project. This outcome reflects the persistent pressure applied by the 1,074 people who signed this petition. We will monitor the progress of this infrastructure work to ensure the commitment remains firm.
May 19, 2018
Petition for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to keep to his word and deliver the MetLine Extension
Final supporters
Watford MP secures an extra £73 million but Sadiq Khan still refuses to deliver Met Line Extension
On Thursday 25th January 2018, London’s Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that Transport for London (TfL) will not deliver the Metropolitan Line Extension, despite getting the extra £73 million that he asked for.
In a show of commitment to the scheme, the Government offered Mr Khan £73 million and was also willing to hand over control of the tracks, and the air rights. But the London Mayor is not willing to push ahead with the extension of the tube line, instead offering a guided bus route.
Watford MP, Richard Harrington, said “We’ve given him everything he’s asked for, and more. I’ve reluctantly come to the conclusion that Sadiq was never serious about this.”
Mr Harrington persuaded Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling MP and Local Government Secretary, Sajid Javid MP to recommit to the scheme, and secured £73 million, on top of the £110 million provided by the Department for Transport over two years ago.
Mr Khan has also received funding from local stakeholders, including Watford Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Local MP, Mr Harrington has been championing the scheme and originally secured funding from the previous Mayor Boris Johnson and the then Transport Secretary, Patrick Mcloughlin back in 2015.
The scheme would have connected up the Metropolitan Line to Watford Junction, and built two new stations in Watford. This was signed off by Boris Johnson in 2015, but last year Sadiq Khan said a further £73 million was needed.
Having sympathy with this, Richard Harrington met with Senior Cabinet Ministers, Chris Grayling MP and Sajid Javid MP and managed to agree the extra £73 million for the Metropolitan Line Extension.
But Sadiq Khan has decided not to pursue this project, despite the extra funding from the Government, and the overwhelming support from two Secretaries of State. He has instead offered a guided bus route, which Mr Harrington says “is not good enough”.
Mr Harrington said:
“I’m very disappointed by the London Mayor. I met with him a few months ago and persuaded him to have another look at the huge benefits of the Met Line Extension, not just to the residents of Watford and South West Herts, but to Londoners too.
He told me he needed more money and so I got two Secretaries of State to guarantee an extra £73 million for the project, making up for the shortfall outlined in his business case. On top of that, the Government has given him the air rights and control of the tracks!
This is something that I wanted to deliver for Watford residents. I made sure he had the money, as well as the support from the Government, but Sadiq won’t follow through.”
Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling MP said:
“Richard Harrington has championed the Metropolitan Line Extension for years and he secured the funds for it to go ahead. It is hugely disappointing that the labour mayor won’t deliver on his election promises even with the additional money Richard has secured from Government.”
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Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 5, 2018
March 4, 2018
Reaching one thousand signatures will demonstrate that this project remains a top priority for the public. Please help us cross this threshold so we can present a unified message to the Mayor.
Reached 100 supporters
January 26, 2018
January 25, 2018
The campaign is approaching one hundred signatures as we demand accountability regarding the Metropolitan Line Extension. Please circulate this petition within your networks to ensure our message remains visible to the Mayor of London.
445 Comments
As a frequent shopper/visitor to Watford this extension would save my wife and I several car journeys (and car parking) a year from Pinner to Watford. Family members live just a short walk from one of the new proposed station sites.
Please stop playing politics, make good use of the work/money already spent on preparation work for the Croxley Rail Link, and capitalise on the £73m now found to underwrite the MLX. This isn't just for Watford - the Croxley Rail Link will also benefit Greater London.
I implore Mr Khan to reconsider. This is critical investment needed to stimulate the local economy and to provide vital travel connections to London. Failure will be a short-sighted decision and poor outcome to not just the local community but far beyond.
The fact that any changes in London stations are done from central tax payers money which includes Watford tax payers. It is ridiculous to say that London tax payers should not pay for Watford extension when vice versa is not followed
The Met line extension has been promised to watford for several years and would help people get to the hospital and football stadium and town centre more easily, a guided bus route is not the same. I hope this decision will be reconsidered.
It is completely crazy not to extend the met line to Watford Junction. Watford Junction is a rail artery and should be connected on the underground.
Bringing back an Underground link to central Watford is essential - not just for locals to get toand from work, but also for residents of towns such as Harrow to work and shop in Watford.
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Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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The Metropolitan Line Extension is finally moving forward after the Mayor reversed his position on the project. This outcome reflects the persistent pressure applied by the 1,074 people who signed this petition. We will monitor the progress of this infrastructure work to ensure the commitment remains firm.
May 19, 2018
Petition for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to keep to his word and deliver the MetLine Extension
Final supporters
Watford MP secures an extra £73 million but Sadiq Khan still refuses to deliver Met Line Extension
On Thursday 25th January 2018, London’s Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that Transport for London (TfL) will not deliver the Metropolitan Line Extension, despite getting the extra £73 million that he asked for.
In a show of commitment to the scheme, the Government offered Mr Khan £73 million and was also willing to hand over control of the tracks, and the air rights. But the London Mayor is not willing to push ahead with the extension of the tube line, instead offering a guided bus route.
Watford MP, Richard Harrington, said “We’ve given him everything he’s asked for, and more. I’ve reluctantly come to the conclusion that Sadiq was never serious about this.”
Mr Harrington persuaded Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling MP and Local Government Secretary, Sajid Javid MP to recommit to the scheme, and secured £73 million, on top of the £110 million provided by the Department for Transport over two years ago.
Mr Khan has also received funding from local stakeholders, including Watford Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Local MP, Mr Harrington has been championing the scheme and originally secured funding from the previous Mayor Boris Johnson and the then Transport Secretary, Patrick Mcloughlin back in 2015.
The scheme would have connected up the Metropolitan Line to Watford Junction, and built two new stations in Watford. This was signed off by Boris Johnson in 2015, but last year Sadiq Khan said a further £73 million was needed.
Having sympathy with this, Richard Harrington met with Senior Cabinet Ministers, Chris Grayling MP and Sajid Javid MP and managed to agree the extra £73 million for the Metropolitan Line Extension.
But Sadiq Khan has decided not to pursue this project, despite the extra funding from the Government, and the overwhelming support from two Secretaries of State. He has instead offered a guided bus route, which Mr Harrington says “is not good enough”.
Mr Harrington said:
“I’m very disappointed by the London Mayor. I met with him a few months ago and persuaded him to have another look at the huge benefits of the Met Line Extension, not just to the residents of Watford and South West Herts, but to Londoners too.
He told me he needed more money and so I got two Secretaries of State to guarantee an extra £73 million for the project, making up for the shortfall outlined in his business case. On top of that, the Government has given him the air rights and control of the tracks!
This is something that I wanted to deliver for Watford residents. I made sure he had the money, as well as the support from the Government, but Sadiq won’t follow through.”
Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling MP said:
“Richard Harrington has championed the Metropolitan Line Extension for years and he secured the funds for it to go ahead. It is hugely disappointing that the labour mayor won’t deliver on his election promises even with the additional money Richard has secured from Government.”
This affects you! - Please sign below
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 5, 2018
March 4, 2018
Reaching one thousand signatures will demonstrate that this project remains a top priority for the public. Please help us cross this threshold so we can present a unified message to the Mayor.
Reached 100 supporters
January 26, 2018
January 25, 2018
The campaign is approaching one hundred signatures as we demand accountability regarding the Metropolitan Line Extension. Please circulate this petition within your networks to ensure our message remains visible to the Mayor of London.
445 Comments
Watford needs this met line extension so we can enjoy the same benefits that Londoners have, instead of having to use National Rail and pay exorbitant fares. A bus connection is not an alternative because of traffic congestion and Watford buses are also expensive!
As a frequent shopper/visitor to Watford this extension would save my wife and I several car journeys (and car parking) a year from Pinner to Watford. Family members live just a short walk from one of the new proposed station sites.
Please stop playing politics, make good use of the work/money already spent on preparation work for the Croxley Rail Link, and capitalise on the £73m now found to underwrite the MLX. This isn't just for Watford - the Croxley Rail Link will also benefit Greater London.
I implore Mr Khan to reconsider. This is critical investment needed to stimulate the local economy and to provide vital travel connections to London. Failure will be a short-sighted decision and poor outcome to not just the local community but far beyond.
The fact that any changes in London stations are done from central tax payers money which includes Watford tax payers. It is ridiculous to say that London tax payers should not pay for Watford extension when vice versa is not followed
The Met line extension has been promised to watford for several years and would help people get to the hospital and football stadium and town centre more easily, a guided bus route is not the same. I hope this decision will be reconsidered.
It is completely crazy not to extend the met line to Watford Junction. Watford Junction is a rail artery and should be connected on the underground.
Bringing back an Underground link to central Watford is essential - not just for locals to get toand from work, but also for residents of towns such as Harrow to work and shop in Watford.
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Watford needs this met line extension so we can enjoy the same benefits that Londoners have, instead of having to use National Rail and pay exorbitant fares. A bus connection is not an alternative because of traffic congestion and Watford buses are also expensive!