Transport for London has announced that there will be a one week closure in order to replace an ageing staircase.
It is to be replaced as part of a £400,000 Network Rail investment.
Network Rail owns the station infrastructure and is carrying out these complex works as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan.
Customers who use London Overground's Euston to Watford route are being advised that Watford High Street station will be closed for one week in August.
Originally opening in 1862, Watford High Street station became part of Transport for London (TfL)'s London Overground in 2007.
The station will be closed after services finish on Saturday 10 August and re-open at 5:00 on Sunday 18 August.
In the time of the closure, a replacement bus service will be in place. It will operate to the neighbouring stations of Watford Junction and Bushley.
Tickets will be accepted on local bus routes 142 and 258.
Additional staff will be in place in order to help customers with information, as well as providing advice on alternative routes.
Due to its age, the staircase needs regular inspections. At its most recent inspection, it was advised that whilst it remains safe, a planned replacement should take place as soon as possible to avoid the risk of a short notice repair or closure in the future.
It was decided to carry out the works during this particular week in August due to it traditionally being quieter as school holidays begin. It also avoids football games at the nearby Watford FC's Vicarage Road stadium.
The staircase is the only customer access to the platforms, so the work has to be carefully planned as it is crucial to minimise customer disruption as much as possible.
Engineers considered doing the work while the station remained open but later decided it would be safer as well as quicker to condense the works into one week in order to minimise the impact on local people.
The staircase was originally built using timber and had a central handrail that is held by cast-iron post. It also has two double flights with a landing in the middle.
During the week's closure, a new steel structure is to be fitted and the original cast iron posts will be restored and then reused.
The glazed roof above the staircase will also be replaced to help make the walkway brighter and lighter for passengers.
What did the officials have to say?
Rory O'Neill, TfL's General Manager for London Overground, said:
‘I would like to thank customers for their patience while Network Rail undertakes this vital refurbishment work on the staircase at Watford High Street station. It is never an easy decision to close a station but this short one week closure will allow the work to be completed more quickly and minimise the longer term disruption for our customers.'
James Woof, a senior asset engineer for buildings at Network Rail, said:
‘This important work to the staircase at Watford High Street station will keep it safe and open for passengers for decades to come. The £400,000 investment as part of Britain's Railway Upgrade Plan means the station will have to close for a week because the staircase is the only access to the station platforms.
‘We know this will inconvenience passengers in the short-term, but once refurbished, it will mean less maintenance and disruption for local rail users in the years to come.'
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If the Metropolitan Line Croxley Rail Link (Watford extension) was to be given the go ahead. I probably would think that Watford High Street station could be revamped/redeveloped with 2 new island platforms with 1 side of track on the left used for the Metropolitan Line trains coming from Moorgate & Baker Street via Croxley, 1 middle track as DC 3rd Rail for London Overground trains from London Euston. 1 middle track for Metropolitan Line trains from Watford Junction to Croxley and beyond to Baker Street & Moorgate and 1 track on the right as 3rd Rail for London Overground trains coming from Watford Junction to London Euston.
With the possibility of upgrading tracks between Watford High Street and Watford Junction to become quadruple tracks. Or to keep as double tracks but with London Overground and Metropolitan Line trains to share the tracks between Watford High Street and Watford Junction.
If the London Underground Metropolitan Line extension to Watford Junction does get the approval with 2 new Metropolitan Line stations to be built with Cassiobridge station to be built which will be located on Ascot Road and near to Cassiobury Park. And a new Watford Vicarage Road station to be built close or nearby to Watford FC Vicarage Road football stadium and Watford General Hospital.