A rapid bus transit system is being considered as a cheaper alternative to the mothballed £284M Metropolitan Line Extension (MLE).

A source at Transport for London (TfL) confirmed London Underground managing director Mark Wild met with the ex-mayor of Watford, Dorothy Thornhill, before the recent local government elections to discuss alternatives to the MLE such as a rapid bus transit system.

A rapid bus transit system would see dedicated bus lanes built exclusively for busses, avoiding traffic and providing faster services.

TfL is offering consultancy services but will not deliver an alternative extension or provide any funding.

In January, mayor of London Sadiq Khan rejected proposals for a £73M funding injection from government, effectively scrapping plans for an extension to the Metropolitan line from Croxley to Watford.

The scheme was originally known as the Croxley Rail Link and owned by Hertfordshire County Council until TfL took over in 2015. Funding had been split between TfL, the Department for Transport, Watford Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Current Watford Mayor Peter Taylor told the Watford Observer a light rail scheme is also being considered.

Hertfordshire County Council leader David Williams said: “The County Council, as the sponsor of MLE, will continue to work with Watford Borough Council, the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, local MP Richard Harrington and central government to try and find a way to move the project forward.

“At the same time we are working with those organisations to consider what potential transport opportunities or options there might be should the current line extension not go ahead.”

TfL declined to comment.