Environmentalists have condemned the business plan behind the proposed Croxley Rail Link, warning the county council could miss a "golden opportunity" to finally get the long-awaited project on track (link below.)
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.2242529.0.golden_opportunity_missed.php

Hertfordshire County Council, backed by Mayor Dorothy Thornhill and Watford MP Claire Ward, presented its business case for the £95m scheme to the DfT in February.

However, the bid was quickly rejected as being "non compliant" with the Government's funding criteria.

The DfT said the application could not be considered for Government cash until the flaws in the business plan were resolved.

In a letter sent to the county council the DfT said there was a lack of evidence to show the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) - the project's primary funder - could meet the current cost.

A spokesman for EERA told the Watford Observer this week that the assembly had promised to invest £50m in the project.

Transport for London has previously promised a further £18m for the scheme. However, the government is also seeking a clarification on that promise.

Hertfordshire County Council this week said it had held a "productive meeting" with the DfT, EERA as well as Claire Ward last month.

A council statement said the DfT has agreed to carry out a "limited assessment" of the project and assess it against government "value for money" criteria.

The statement read:


The county council said further discussions were scheduled in the coming weeks.

It added that it expected a final decision to be made by "late autumn".