The London Overground service which runs from Watford Junction to London Euston could be under threat, a source has claimed.

With the ongoing HS2 developments at Euston, it is believed that the owner of the station, Network Rail, is “under pressure” for platform space.

An idea which has been mooted in the past and has been suggested again is for the Overground service to be scrapped, and the Bakerloo line extended to Watford to compensate for the loss.

When HS2 was revealed, a report suggested the Overground line could be removed but Transport for London denied this would happen.

Rumours have once again resurfaced; however when approached by the Watford Observer, both Transport for London and Network Rail denied there was any truth in it.

Watford Labour party chairman Mike Jackson says he felt compelled to respond when a letter was published in the Observer in June ‘Watford Mayor should consider Bakerloo Line Extension’ following the Met Line extension collapse.

If the Bakerloo line were to be extended up to Watford Junction, commuters would not be able to travel direct to Euston and instead would have to change. The line currently terminates at Harrow & Wealdstone.

Currently, the Overground service runs three times an hour via stations including Bushey, Carpenders Park, and Hatch End, and then along the same route as the Bakerloo line before splitting at Queens Park and continuing into Euston.

Network Rail made no comment in reference to whether they needed platform space. The anonymous source says platforms 18 and 17 will be lost as a result of a new station being built as part of HS2, before a further three platforms will be incorporated into HS2 leaving just 13 platforms at Euston for non HS2 services.

After the rumours were denied, Mr Jackson said: “It beggars belief that Network Rail are not admitting to pressure on platform capacity at Euston. It’s obvious to any peak time passenger. Despite their denial it would have been irresponsible of them not to have considered options for relieving that capacity.

“I am convinced that they have and will continue to look at ways to relieve that pressure and the removal of London Overground service is the soft option that remains high on the list.”

It is believed that TFL would be responsible for initiating any changes but it would have to work together with Network Rail to deliver any scheme.

A spokeswoman for TFL said there are no plans or threats to stop the Overground line and the HS2 route has incorporated the plans.

A Network Rail spokeswoman said: “Overground lines are not affected by HS2 work at London Euston and these services will continue to operate into the station.”