We are campaigning to save the Hertford to Stevenage Rail Link and need to make clear to Government Ministers that extra funding is absolutely necessary for Network Rail to build a new platform at Stevenage to keep direct train services between Hertford North and Watton-at-Stone to Stevenage in operation.

It is wholly unacceptable that a proposed bus route will replace the train link between Watton at Stone and Stevenage for up to 7 years (with a risk of this being permanent). This will make journeys very difficult and time consuming particularly vulnerable citizens in the affected areas, the elderly, people with disabilities and those with bikes and push chairs. 

In addition to the inconvenience for regular travellers, this will remove a direct public transport link to the only major hospital in the area (Lister), and the only public facing police station in the area (Stevenage). It will also affect businesses in both Hertford and Stevenage and increase traffic as people are forced into cars and taxis. 

Removal of this rail link also means those travelling from Hertford onto Cambridge and further north will now have to travel into London on already congested trains and pay an additional premium for this. Commuters in Palmers Green, Winchmore Hill, Enfield Chase and Gordon Hill, will also need to change at Finsbury Park for services to Stevenage and beyond at additional cost and inconvenience.

Please sign this petition by following the link below - it is going to our local MPs, Govia Thameslink Railway and Department for Transport to let them know that local people feel strongly about this issue and want them to press the government to make the money available for the new platform and not implement any reductions to the current train services.

Join our Facebook group for more information. 

 Please note: under the current proposals, trains will still run between Hertford North and Watton at Stone. The closed section (bus replacement) will be between Watton at Stone and Stevenage.