CROXLEY GREEN - WATFORD HIGH STREET

(1912 - 1996)

You might find contemporary maps that still show this line as temporarily closed
but since when has a temporary closure of a line involved removing some of the track
and demolishing a bridge and all of the station buildings?

An application was submitted to close the line permanently/officially (from June 2001,
despite the fact that no train has run along it since March 1996) and only the plans to
divert the Metropolitan Line's Watford branch along it, would see it re-opened.

For details of the proposed reopening plans, click here.

 


 

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The terminus.

According to the webpage featured in the link above, the Metropolitan line is planned to be diverted from its present Watford terminus to this line (and hence through to Watford Junction). However, it will join onto it at a point between this station and the next one (Watford West), thus causing the permanent abandonment of this station. The red lamposts in the photo to the left of the information sign, indicate the path up to the platform.

(photo Aug 2001)

 

 

 

 

 

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For a while, passengers wishing to reach this station would have a cab ordered for them (presumably from Watford High Street station). A protest at the line's closure would have been interesting, if the number of people it would take to fill a train, simultaneously demanded tickets to this station!

(Aug 2001)

 

 

 

 

 

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The platform for this station was originally on the other side of the track but was demolished and replaced further east by this lightweight offering.

For a site with a couple of photos of this station in its original form (quite unrecognisable) click here.

(Aug 2001)

 

 

 

 

 

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As above, facing away from Watford toward the end of the line. The disrepair the platform is in is obvious from this photo.

(Aug 2001)


For further info: www.disused-stations.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

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Dec 2005 and the makeshift platform has been removed completely.

 

 

 

 

 

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Facing toward Croxley Green station.

(Aug 2001)

 

 

 

 

 

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Bridge over the Grand Union Canal - the line was severed in 1996 by a new slip road beyond the fence just visible at the end of the bridge. The subsequent application to close the line was presumably seen as only a formality, as it was thus physically impossible for a train to reach the Croxley Green terminus.
Is this a dangerous precedent; closing a line before official permission has been granted?

(Aug 2001)

 

 

 

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The embankment severed for the new Ascot Road. This is looking from the Croxley Green side towards Watford.

(Jul 2005)

Photo by Will Temple. ©2005

 

 

 

 

 

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Bridge over Ascot Road. This part of the line is still connected to the main line at Watford (i.e. no severances of the track bed) although some of the rails have been removed. If the Metropolitan Line ever does take over this line, a new station will be opened on this road, although the track route will be different (this bridge will be abandoned).

(Jan 2002)

 

 

 

 

Looking back toward the bridge in the above photo.

Move your cursor over the image to see Will Temple's photo from July 2005, taken roughly from the same place.

For a map of the area, click here.

(Jan 2002)

 

 

 

 

 

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Heading toward Watford and away from the Croxley Green terminus.

(Jan 2002)

 

 

 

 

 

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Watford West station entrance. The arched gateway has since had a grotesque metal security 'cage' added to it.

(Aug 2001)

 

 

 

 

 

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Watford West platform, facing toward the Croxley Green direction.

(Aug 2001)

 

 

 

 

 

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Facing the other way.
The plans for the Metropolitan Line takeover include an additional entrance/exit at the eastern end of this platform serving the Vicarage Rd district.

(Aug 2001)

 

 

 

 

 

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(Aug 2001)

 

 

 

 

 

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(Jan 2002)

 

 

 

 

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Watford West station viewed from the Watford end.

 

(Jan 2002)


 

Part 2

 

 

 

 

All photos ©2001-2009. Reproduction prohibited.