The Croxley Rail Link, or the Metropolitan Line Extension, is a proposed railway engineering project in the Watford and Three Rivers districts of Hertfordshire, England, that would have connected the London Overground and the London Underground's Metropolitan line at Watford Junction.
The old Rickmansworth branch and old Croxley Green branch suffered as a result of direct services to London provided by the Metropolitan Line, increased competition from buses and more private local car ownership. The old Rickmansworth branch also closed in 1952 and the old Croxley line was abandoned in 1996.
There were plans to revive it as part of the London Underground, with extra direct services between Watford Junction and Amersham if there was a strong case for the scheme since it could reduce road traffic. Sadly London's mayor complained about the cost in 2016 and started feuding with the government, Three Rivers DC, Watford DC and Hertfordshire CC over it.
The light rail route I envisage is a reduced version of the official planned route: Watford Junction (National Rail), Watford High Street (London Overground), Watford Stadium Halt (Closed 1996), Watford West (Closed 1996) and Cassiobridge (new station). It would not involve London Underground and Watford's London Underground station would remain in use by the Underground.
The trains and stations would be run by London Northwestern Railway.
The Amersham link would sadly use the Ebury Cycle Way out of necessity since it's imperative to avoid getting involved with TfL run London Underground, who are more trouble than they are worth.
The light rail route I envisage is: Watford Junction (National Rail), Watford High Street (London Overground), Croxley Common Moor (new station), a junction with national rail lines between the Grand Union Canal and the A4145, Rickmansworth (National Rail), Chorleywood (National Rail), Amersham (London Underground) or Chesham (London Underground).
The trains and stations would be run by Chiltern Railways.
A new line would Brach of the existing Watford- St. Albans line at Bricket Wood and cut across to Radlett and Potters Bar.
The heavy rail route I envisage is: Watford Junction (National Rail), Bricket Wood (new station), a junction at Bricket Wood, a junction near Radlett Cricket Club, Radlett Parkway (new station), Shenley (new station), South Mimms (new station) and Potters Bar West (near the Jigsaw Performing Arts School).
It would provide a new route for cross Hertfordshire travel without having to enter London (ie: Potters Bar To Hemel Hempstead with out using Kings Cross and Euston).
The trains and stations would be run by London Northwestern Railway.