Watford tube station
Encyclopedia
Watford is a station at the end of the Watford
branch of London Underground
's Metropolitan Line
in the north-western part of the network in Zone 7, previously zone A.
area of Watford. It is close to two of the entrances to Cassiobury Park
. Despite the name suggesting a central location, it is some distance from Watford town centre compared with the town's other stations, and . It is known locally as "Watford Met" to distinguish it from these and the other Watford stations, which are all operated by National Rail
. The station building is typical red-brick and was designed by C. W. Clark.
Although it is the terminus of the branch, it was not planned as such, with an extension to the town centre (Watford Central station) envisaged but never constructed. The original Watford Central station building was in Watford High Street, opposite the junction with Clarendon Road, and has known many guises. In the 1950s this was the Grange Furniture Store and the original Underground station canopy was still in evidence. A JD Wetherspoon pub, The Moon Under Water, now occupies the building. For many years, a bus service ran from Watford station to the High Street.
When travelcard
zones were introduced, Watford was in Zone B. From 2004 it moved to Zone A and in 2008 it became part of Travelcard Zone 7.
envisages diverting the Metropolitan line away from its present route to .
For many years, a short branch line from Watford Junction ran to nearby , though passenger usage was low. In 1996, rail services were withdrawn and the line allowed to fall into disuse. The line comes very close to the Metropolitan Line south of Watford and it has often been proposed that there should be a short viaduct to link the two lines to create a through route to Watford Junction. This would lead to the closure of Watford station, but station could be given a new exit to provide a near enough service.
This project, although small, has long faced problems with funding. As Watford is outside Greater London, normal sources of funding for the Tube are not available. Hertfordshire County Council
do not have railways within their remit and so are unable to supply the funding on their own. However, the County Council, backed by Transport for London
, are now leading a combined scheme to build the extension largely from a Government grant. TfL
have agreed to commit almost £18m to the scheme, and a submission to the Department for Transport
has been made asking for a commitment in principle to pay the balance. The DfT's response is still awaited.
It is envisaged that the services on the lines so linked could be further enhanced by using the north-facing junction on the Metropolitan main line north of Moor Park to provide shuttle services between Watford Junction and , or even Aylesbury
. It is believed that such a service would do much to enhance the entire area.
during off-peak periods. At peak times, most trains to Baker Street and then onto Aldgate
.
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
branch of London Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
's Metropolitan Line
Metropolitan Line
The Metropolitan line is part of the London Underground. It is coloured in Transport for London's Corporate Magenta on the Tube map and in other branding. It was the first underground railway in the world, opening as the Metropolitan Railway on 10 January 1863...
in the north-western part of the network in Zone 7, previously zone A.
Location and description
The station is in Cassiobury Park Avenue, at the junction with Metropolitan Station Approach, in the CassioburyCassiobury
Cassiobury is a residential area of Watford in Hertfordshire, England.It is formed by two areas of housing: one to the north-east of Cassiobury Park and the other to the south...
area of Watford. It is close to two of the entrances to Cassiobury Park
Cassiobury Park
Cassiobury Park is the principal public open space in Watford, Hertfordshire, in England. It comprises over and extends from the A412 Rickmansworth Road in the east to the Grand Union Canal in the west....
. Despite the name suggesting a central location, it is some distance from Watford town centre compared with the town's other stations, and . It is known locally as "Watford Met" to distinguish it from these and the other Watford stations, which are all operated by National Rail
National Rail
National Rail is a title used by the Association of Train Operating Companies as a generic term to define the passenger rail services operated in Great Britain...
. The station building is typical red-brick and was designed by C. W. Clark.
History
Watford station opened on 4 November 1925, as part of the extension of the line from , with electrical supply from the Metropolitan Railway, and a train service from the Great Central Railway to operating in the first few months.Although it is the terminus of the branch, it was not planned as such, with an extension to the town centre (Watford Central station) envisaged but never constructed. The original Watford Central station building was in Watford High Street, opposite the junction with Clarendon Road, and has known many guises. In the 1950s this was the Grange Furniture Store and the original Underground station canopy was still in evidence. A JD Wetherspoon pub, The Moon Under Water, now occupies the building. For many years, a bus service ran from Watford station to the High Street.
When travelcard
Travelcard
The Travelcard is an inter-modal travel ticket for unlimited use on the London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, Tramlink, London Buses and National Rail services in the Greater London area. Travelcards can be purchased for a period of time varying from one day to a year,...
zones were introduced, Watford was in Zone B. From 2004 it moved to Zone A and in 2008 it became part of Travelcard Zone 7.
Watford Junction links
A proposal known as the Croxley Rail LinkCroxley Rail Link
The Croxley Rail Link is a railway engineering proposal to re-route part of a London Underground line in Hertfordshire, outside London, UK. The project would divert Metropolitan line Watford branch services after station away from station to via intermediate stations using a reopened section of...
envisages diverting the Metropolitan line away from its present route to .
For many years, a short branch line from Watford Junction ran to nearby , though passenger usage was low. In 1996, rail services were withdrawn and the line allowed to fall into disuse. The line comes very close to the Metropolitan Line south of Watford and it has often been proposed that there should be a short viaduct to link the two lines to create a through route to Watford Junction. This would lead to the closure of Watford station, but station could be given a new exit to provide a near enough service.
This project, although small, has long faced problems with funding. As Watford is outside Greater London, normal sources of funding for the Tube are not available. Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire County Council is the upper-tier local authority for the non-metropolitan county of Hertfordshire, in England, the United Kingdom. It currently consists of 77 councillors, and is controlled by the Conservative Party, which has 55 councillors, 17 Liberal Democrats, versus 3 Labour...
do not have railways within their remit and so are unable to supply the funding on their own. However, the County Council, backed by Transport for London
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
, are now leading a combined scheme to build the extension largely from a Government grant. TfL
TFL
TFL may refer to:* Tasmanian Football League, an Australian rules football competition* Tensor fasciae latae muscle, a thigh/hip muscle* Transport for London, a public transport organisation in the London area* The Flaming Lips, an American rock band...
have agreed to commit almost £18m to the scheme, and a submission to the Department for Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
has been made asking for a commitment in principle to pay the balance. The DfT's response is still awaited.
Aylesbury
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South East England. However the town also falls into a geographical region known as the South Midlands an area that ecompasses the north of the South East, and the southern extremities of the East Midlands...
. It is believed that such a service would do much to enhance the entire area.
Services
Currently, run between Watford and Baker StreetBaker Street tube station
Baker Street tube station is a station on the London Underground at the junction of Baker Street and the Marylebone Road. The station lies in Travelcard Zone 1 and is served by five different lines...
during off-peak periods. At peak times, most trains to Baker Street and then onto Aldgate
Aldgate tube station
Aldgate tube station is a London Underground station located at Aldgate in the City of London.The station is on the Circle Line between Tower Hill and Liverpool Street. It is also the eastern terminus of the Metropolitan Line...
.
See also
- Watford Junction
- Watford High Street railway stationWatford High Street railway stationWatford High Street railway station is a railway station in Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. It is served by the Watford DC Line on the London Overground network.-Location:...