London Overground trains could soon reach Stevenage and Hertford if plans suggested by the Government's New Towns Taskforce come to fruition.

The Government commissioned the taskforce to recommend locations for new towns, with one proposed site being at Crews Hill and Chase Park, near Enfield.

But, according to the taskforce's report, the frequency of trains stopping at Crews Hill – which is on the Great Northern-operated Hertford Loop line that runs between Stevenage and Moorgate via Hertford North – would "need to be increased" if the suggested 21,000 homes are built.

Currently, Crews Hill is served by two trains an hour during off-peak hours and up to six trains an hour during peak hours. 

The report, published on Sunday (28 September), said: "The Government would need to explore options with the Greater London Authority and Transport for London (TfL), including the potential to devolve the Great Northern line."

If TfL took over responsibility for the line, it would likely see it brought into the London Overground network.

Back in 2020, TfL submitted an outline business case to take over the line, but the plans came to nothing.

Lucinda Turner, director of spatial planning at TfL, said they "are keen to work collaboratively with the Secretary of State for Transport and have begun engaging with officials regarding Great Northern".

She continued: "We welcome the Government's news that, as part of its growth mission, Crews Hill and Chase Park have been shortlisted as new towns.

"Improved public transport connections are key to fully unlocking this opportunity, and it reinforces the case for devolving responsibility for London rail services to TfL.

"We have a proven track record of making rail services better and more reliable, leading to economic benefits and improving services for millions of commuters and unlocking thousands of new homes."

A spokesperson for Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs the Great Northern services between Stevenage and Moorgate via Hertford North, said they have "noted" the Government's report.

They added: "We're already working towards running still more trains in the rush hour from Gordon Hill and doubling the off-peak service to four trains an hour from Hertford North.

"In the longer term, service frequency can be further increased if funding becomes available to support it until the point where it becomes commercially viable."

Govia Thameslink Railway is expected to transfer into public ownership in May 2026, and any final decision on devolving the operation of the line running from Stevenage and Hertford to Moorgate would also need to consider that part of the line is integrated with the broader East Coast Main Line. 

TfL has previously taken over the running of routes from other operators, such as Greater Anglia, and brought them into the London Overground network. 

The New Towns Taskforce said the proposed new town at Crews Hill and Chase Park "offers a unique opportunity to create a new, family-centred community within the Greater London boundary; leading the way in releasing poor-quality green belt land for sustainable, quality development".

Construction of the new town, if the Government gives it the go-ahead, could start before the next General Election in 2029.

The Government is planning to build a dozen new towns across the country, containing around 300,000 new homes in total. 

Kevin Bonavia, Stevenage's Labour MP, said he will be "analysing" the New Towns Taskforce report for "any potential impact on Stevenage".

He added: "As always, I'll be a strong advocate for whatever is determined as the best possible driver for increased connectivity and efficient, affordable, reliable transport services to and from our town and villages."