Proposals to extend the £14.8 billion Crossrail could see Hillingdon linked to Herfordshire via Hayes and West Drayton stations.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin last week announced the extension plan, and if it goes ahead, there will be Crossrail links, providing faster commuter services and reducing journey times by 15 minutes to, Tring, Hemel Hempstead, Berkhampstead and Watford Junction.

Crossrail is the new high frequency, high capacity railway for London and the South East, the existing Crossrail, due to be fully operational by 2019, will see fast trains running from Reading in Berkshire through central London to Shenfield in Essex.

Mr McLoughlin said: “We are looking at proposals to extend Crossrail services even further by opening a new route to key destinations in Hertfordshire.

“We’re going to examine, right away, how we can run extra services direct into the city and through to Canary Wharf from key stations like Tring, Hemel Hempstead, Harrow and Watford - without the frustrating need to change at Euston.”

Initial analysis suggests 40 per cent of passengers travelling into London from these locations finish their journeys within 1km of a Crossrail station, compared to just 10 per cent within 1km of Euston.

The link would have the added benefit of reducing congestion at the station, specifically for passengers using the southbound Northern and Victoria lines.

Mr McLoughlin added: “Preliminary analysis has indicated that the link could potentially reduce journey times to central London by up to 15 minutes.

“I want to get on with this work, so I have asked HS2 Ltd to work closely with the Crossrail sponsors to explore the proposals in more detail.

“I have made clear to my department that any changes must not affect the timetable or planned service pattern for the existing Crossrail scheme, which is scheduled to be fully operational by 2019.

“Of course - as with any feasibility study - final decisions would be subject to a wide range of considerations, including affordability.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “I have always maintained that the renaissance of Euston is a fantastic opportunity for regeneration in our city and one we should not miss.

“Providing a new rail route into the capital for passengers from Hertfordshire will be vital for Euston to be properly redeveloped to accommodate HS2 and to maximise the delivery of new homes and jobs in London and beyond.”