Commuters have raised fears that the Abbey Line could be replaced with a “busway” under new proposals.

Abbey Line passengers group Abbey Rail has claimed that Hertfordshire County Council could be planning to end rail service between St Albans Abbey Station and Watford Junction under its Hertfordshire Essex Rapid Transit (HERT) proposals.

The scheme aims to reduce congestion and create a better east to west transport corridor in Hertfordshire, but includes a stretch from Watford to St Albans covering the same ground as the Abbey Line.

The leading solution for how to deliver it appears to be through a trackless tram running mostly, but not entirely, along segregated sections of existing highway.

Claims relate to a county council Highways and Transport Cabinet Panel meeting on March 12, reviewing a report on progress drawing up the scheme. 

A recommendation to endorse “investigating options for Croxley to St Albans utilising the Croxley branch line and Abbey Line corridors” for the HERT route was approved.

The report discussed at the meeting warned that “creating a competing corridor" with the existing line "would risk making both of them unviable.”

CGI image shared by HCC. The type of vehicle to be used is still not decided although trackless trams appear to be the leading option..CGI image shared by HCC. The type of vehicle to be used is still not decided although trackless trams appear to be the leading option.. (Image: Hertfordshire County Council)

It said that studies have been commissioned to find out the engineering feasibility of converting the route to a "paved, trackless tramway".

Abbey Rail describes the proposal as a plan to “close the Abbey Line” and convert it into a busway. It said is objects to the plan and instead calls for a joined-up rail network across the county.

A county council spokesperson said: "The panel was assured that changes to the Abbey Line rail-based services would not be considered unless there was a demonstrably viable alternative which was an improvement in terms of connectivity, frequency and ease of use.

A study to determine whether self driving transport could be used between Watford and St Albans received funding last year, as part of HERT.A study to determine whether self driving transport could be used between Watford and St Albans received funding last year, as part of HERT. (Image: Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles/Google Street View)

"The panel agreed that potential options for the Abbey Line should be developed before an objective decision on the preferred way forward is made.

"The county council is not planning to close the Abbey Line, but given the Government’s rejection of its bid to provide a passing loop, it is looking to see if there are any long-term options which may provide better connections for people and businesses across Hertfordshire."

The Liberal Democrat Group and Labour Group voted against investigating options for the routes as worded in the report.

Trackless trams are electric vehicles that run on rubber wheels and are guided by sensors in roads. They do not need overhead cables or rail to be installed and are bi-directional.