A RAIL user group has criticised a decision not to include the re-opening of a direct rail line between Chingford and Stratford in the London Mayor's 20-year transport strategy.

The Chingford Line User Group has been campaigning to get a section of track reopened, known as the Hall Farm Curve.

But no mention was made of the line in London Mayor Boris Johnson's proposals to enhance the city's rail network, the draft of which was published this week.

Roger Gilham said the group will be putting forward objections and comments to the Mayor as part of a public consultation on the plan.

He said: “I was disturbed to learn that the Hall Farm Curve was not listed. We would have expected to see it as a possible scheme and will be requesting that it be part of a programme in the period of 2014 to 2019.”

But cabinet member for enterprise and investment, Cllr Terry Wheeler, who is calling on the Mayor to reopen the line to increase job opportunities for Waltham Forest residents in Stratford, said he has had recent correspondence with the Mayor on this suggesting he continues to support it and is not concerned that it is not in the strategy.

He said: “I don't think anything has changed. It is probably not there because it is still a work in progress and the details have not been prepared.

“But I am still confident it has a strong case. We have managed to get support and move it up the agenda, but we have to put resources into lobbying because we are competing with other similar projects in other areas.”

The council consultants are currently preparing a business case for the line and a lobbying organisation to promote it.

In the report, the Mayor said he is “committed” to the electrification of the Gospel Oak to Barking Line, which runs through Waltham Forest, and to carrying out gauge enhancements for freight services.

But Gospel Oak to Barking Line User Group spokesman Richard Pout says there needs to be more urgency in order for it to be completed in time for the Olympics.

He said: “We are disappointed that Mayor Boris Johnson has not recognised the importance of the Gospel Oak to Barking line.

"Earlier this year negotiations broke down between Transport for London and the Department for Transport over this crucial project.

“The strategy must include and press for the electrification of this route with longer three-coach electric trains to provide the service that north- east London needs and deserves.”

The transport strategy is part of The London Mayor's Plan which can be viewed at www.london.gov.uk/shaping-london