Crossrail could extend into Hertfordshire

The Government is considering plans to extend Crossrail to Hertfordshire, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced. Extending the service would reduce journey times between London and parts of Hertfordshire by up to 16 minutes.

Mr McLoughlin announced the plans at Farringdon Station, and said that the overall plan would also provide an opportunity to redevelop Euston station, which is to have over ten new platforms built under proposals for HS2.

Under the plans, the current Crossrail project would be extended through north west London to stations including Tring, Hemel Hempstead, Watford Junction, Berkhamsted and Harrow and Wealdstone.

Mr McLoughlin said: ‘We're going to examine how we can run extra services direct into the city and through to Canary Wharf from key stations like Tring, Hemel Hempstead, Harrow and Watford, without the frustrating need to change at Euston.

James Davies, Knight Frank Berkhamsted, said if Crossrail were to be extended, it would be good news for his local area: 'With Berkhamsted station already providing a 30 minute train service to London Euston the area has been popular with commuters for some time.

‘An improved service to the city removing the need to change trains at Euston and dramatically decreasing the journey time would further cement the area as one of the best places to live in the west/north west Home Counties with a wonderful combination of market towns/villages, excellent schooling, open countryside and fast access to central London.’

The Crossrail project, already one of the largest construction projects in Europe, is scheduled to be finished by 2019.

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