Hertfordshire residents could benefit from a direct link to Crossrail after a feasibility study was announced into a section of new railway between Old Oak Common and the West Coast Mainline.

The link would serve commuter towns including Tring, Hemel Hempstead and Watford and mean those passengers would not have to pass through Euston, which is congested and is to be redeveloped to accommodate High Speed 2.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “It is vital we seize every opportunity to make the most of these once in a generation schemes. Not only would this be a huge boost for passengers, it would also provide flexibility when building HS2 into Euston.”

Analysis suggests that 40% of passengers travelling from Hertfordshire into London finish their journey within 1km of a Crossrail station, compared to just 10% within 1km of Euston.

Hertfordshire County Council cabinet member Andrew Stevenson said: “This is great news; I’m delighted that the Government is talking seriously about improving transport links for our county. Although it’s early days, this sounds like a real opportunity for Hertfordshire’s businesses and communities.”

It is not the first time that a Crossrail extension to the North West of London has been mooted. Four years ago the project’s former chairman Douglas Oakervee suggested that Crossrail could be extended to Buckinghamshire and the commuter town of Amersham.

♦ Crossrail’s tunnel boring machine Jessica has completed her journey from the Limmo Peninsula near Canning Town to Victoria Dock (pictured).

The 900m journey took nine weeks. Another tunnel boring machine, Ellie, will start on the remaining twin tunnel from Limmo to Victoria Dock in the coming weeks.

Crossrail’s rail tunnels are 83% complete and tunnel boring is to finish early next year.

(Photo: Crossrail)

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