The Edgware, Highgate and London Railway (EH&LR) was a railway in north London. The route, measuring 8.75 miles (14.08 km), ran through parts of rural Middlesex (now suburban north London) from Finsbury Park through Stroud Green, Crouch End, Highgate, Finchley and Mill Hill to Edgware.  Opening as a single track line on 22nd August 1867.

This was followed by the opening railway to High Barnet on 1st  April 1872 and The Muswell Hill Railway from Highgate to Alexandra Palace, authorised by the Muswell Hill Estate  opened on 24th May 1873 along with Alexandra Palace.

Fast forward to June 1935, the London Transport Passenger Board,  (LPTB responsible for public transport in London from 1933 to 1948) announced the New Works Programme, an ambitious plan to expand the Underground network which included the integration of a complex and existing network of steam hauled passenger and freight trains across London. The programme was to develop many aspects of the public transport services run by the LPTB  (the ancestor public body to the present day Transport for London) and the suburban rail services including the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER). The investment was largely backed by government assistance as well as by the issuing of financial bonds and was estimated to cost £42,286,000 in 1936 (approximately £2.58 billion today).

The Programme saw major reconstructions of many central area Underground stations, with escalators being installed to replace lifts; extensions of several tube lines; and connection to and electrification of a number of suburban lines. These included:

Northern line (The Northern Heights Plan)
transfer of the Metropolitan line's Great Northern & City (GN&C) branch to Northern line operation
connection of the GN&C branch at Finsbury Park to the LNER's line to Edgware, High Barnet and Alexandra Palace
construction of new tunnels from Archway (then Highgate) to Highgate and East Finchley to connect to the Edgware and High Barnet branches
extension from Edgware to Bushey Heath.

Underground Northern line trains took over from LNER steam services between East Finchley and High Barnet on 14 April 1940. LNER services were withdrawn between Highgate and East Finchley in March 1941 (both services having briefly operated to the latter station from the two parts of Highgate station. Underground trains began serving Mill Hill East in May 1941, but never ran to Edgware as planned.

Works to complete the remainder of the Northern Heights New Works Programme was officially abandoned in February 1954. This lead to the subsequent closure of the railway between Edgware and Mill Hill East (which had continued to operate as a freight route between 1939 - 1964) and the branch line between Alexandra Palace and Finsbury Park  to passenger services in June 1954. 

This left then only a tube train transfer (hauled by battery locos due to the incomplete electrification)  between Highgate Depot to Drayton Park to enable services to operate on the Northern City line and this eventually ceased in October 1970.   

Today reopening the railway from Moorgate to Edgware via Highgate and Alexandra Palace as part of the TFL network would help to bring communities together. Before the lines closure, the routes was more than just railway lines; they were a lifeline. They connected vibrant communities, allowing commuters and leisure traffic to easily reach different parts of London and beyond. If reopened, these lines could once again serve as a crucial links, providing people with greater social and economic opportunities. Plus reopening these railways would help improve the air quality across the Capital. 

The potential benefits of reopening these railway lines are significant and wide-ranging. Firstly, it would offer increased social access, enabling people to travel more efficiently to and from the capital at greater speed than current road transport, connecting them not just to London but to broader areas across the UK. This ease of connectivity can enhance the quality of life for many, enabling easier commutes for work, education, and leisure.

Furthermore, the environmental benefits cannot be ignored. By providing an alternative to road transport, the railway (whether reopened as part of London Underground Northern line, London Overground or tramway system in TfL) would significantly contribute to reducing air pollution in London, improving air quality for everyone. As we know, public/ private transport emissions are a major source of air pollution and expanding access to public transport is a critical step toward a more sustainable future.

In addition to the social and environmental advantages, reopening the railway lines would stimulate economic growth. It could create new jobs, both during the construction and in the long term, supporting local businesses and revitalizing communities along the route. This development could generate a ripple effect, boosting economic activities and fostering long-lasting growth.

I urge local councils from Camden, Haringey, Barnet and transport bodies including  by not limited to the Department for Transport/Transport for London to consider reopening the railways between Moorgate to Edgware via Highgate and Alexandra Palace. It is an investment in the future, with the potential to transform lives and strengthen the economic, social and environmental fabric of London and prosperity across the UK as a result.

Please join me in supporting this cause by signing this petition, and let us work together to bring this invaluable resource back to life. Your signature can make a difference, showing decision-makers how much we value improved connectivity, environmental sustainability, and economic growth for our community.