A travel watchdog has backed calls to retain a passenger service at Watford Metropolitan Station after the Croxley Rail Link opens.

London TravelWatch has recommended that London Underground Limited trial a split service between the station and Watford Junction for at least two years.

The recommendations have come in a report to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who will decide the station’s fate in the coming weeks.

London Underground Limited wants to close the station to passengers after Croxley Rail Link opens in 2016 and use it solely for train storage.

The rail link, which was approved in December, will see the Metropolitan Line extended from Croxley Station through two new stations in Ascot Road and Vicarage Road , before linking with Watford High Street station and terminating at Watford Junction.

However plans to close the Watford Met to passengers have run into stiff opposition from people living in the area.

At a hearing into the possible closure of the station in February residents and politicians from the town argued that transport bosses should keep some sort of services going at Watford Met.

In a report released today London TravelWatch said: “The closure panel recommends that a trial split service is trialled, serving both Watford and Watford Junction stations, to determine the real passenger numbers and issues involved with the running of a split service serving both Watford and Watford Junction stations prior to a final decision on the closure of Watford station.

“The trial could last for two years from the opening of the Croxley Rail Link to 2018 when the new signalling is due to be completed on the Metropolitan line when there will, presumably, be a major re-timetabling programme.”