Watford North railway station

Watford North
Location
Place North Watford
Local authority Watford
Operations
Station code WFN
Managed by London Midland
Number of platforms 1
Live arrivals/departures and station information
from National Rail Enquiries
Annual rail passenger usage
2004/05 * 77,384
2005/06 * 77,365
2006/07 * 82,493
2007/08 * 98,875
2008/09 * 103,530
2009/10 * 99,272
National Rail - UK railway stations
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
* Annual estimated passenger usage based on sales of tickets in stated financial year(s) which end or originate at Watford North from Office of Rail Regulation statistics. Please note: methodology may vary year on year.
UK Railways portal

Watford North railway station serves the North Watford area of Watford in Hertfordshire, England. It is the first station on the Abbey Line 1.2 km (¾ of a mile) north east of Watford Junction. Originally opened in October 1910 as 'Callowland', the station was built to serve a developing residential and industrial area which still thrives today. The service is known locally as the Abbey Flyer, and the line has its own user's group, known as Abfly, which campaigns to maintain and improve the line, which is very popular with local residents.

Contents

Service

Currently there is a 45-minute service in either direction Monday to Saturday, hourly on Sundays. The railway is the quickest way to get between Watford and St Albans, taking only 16 minutes.

Future

In November 2007 responsibility for this branch line, including Watford North station, passed from Silverlink trains to Govia London Midland trains. Possible changes on the line include new means of buying tickets, and the restoration of a passing loop at Bricket Wood, which would facilitate a 30-minute train service.

Plans were announced in October 2009 for the Abbey Line to be converted to light rail operation by 2011. Under the proposals, the line and stations would be leased to Hertfordshire County Council who would run a tram-train service from Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey.[1] Longer-term proposals envisage the extension of the light rail service into St Albans city centre, possibly as far as St Albans City railway station.[2]

External links

Preceding station National Rail Following station
Watford Junction   London Midland
Abbey Line		   Garston

References

  1. ^ "DfT Press Release Watford and St Albans passengers on track for new tram service". 2009-10-30. http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx?ClientId=202&NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=408071&SubjectId. 
  2. ^ "St Albans Abbey tram-train announced". Railway Gazette. 30 October 2009. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/st-albans-abbey-tram-train-announced.html. Retrieved 24 December 2009.