A PETITION calling for a direct Tube service from Amersham and Chesham to Watford as part of an extension of the Metropolitan Line has been launched by an MP.

The proposed Croxley Rail Link will extend the line further into Watford and create two new stations in the town centre when it is built.

South West Hertfordshire MP David Gauke has called for additional improvements to be made elsewhere on the line and eliminate the need for passengers to change trains at Moor Park in order to get into Watford.

There is no direct link connecting the Watford and Amersham and Chesham branches of the line despite the track being in place, and Mr Gauke has called for this to be utilised.

The Tory said on his website the idea had been met with an encouraging response by Mike Brown, Managing Director of London Underground.

Mr Gauke said: "He confirmed that London Underground had looked at this before but concluded that there was insufficient demand to justify it. However, he did say that once the Croxley Rail Link was in place, London Underground would be ‘keeping this very closely under review’.

"I am mildly encouraged by that response."

He said the petition he has set up on his website is to persuade London Underground to trial the idea in order to gauge demand.

Planning permission has been given for a new line to be built from Croxley station to Watford Junction, stopping at Watford High Street and new stations at Cassiobridge and Vicarage Road.

Bucks Free Press:

How the Underground map will look when the work is completed

The current Watford Underground station would close and the line to Croxley would be torn up. The work is scheduled to be completed in 2017.

To view the petition go to www.davidgauke.com/croxleyraillink.