Transport for London has responded to speculation Harlow Council will lobby for a tube station for the town with an extension of the Central Line.

The Government body, responsible for the London Underground, said it is open to talks with local authorities but no funding currently exists for the proposals.

A TfL spokesperson said: "We understand that Harlow Council is considering proposing the extension of the Central Line into Harlow. Whilst we are always keen to talk to local authorities outside of London about possible extensions to our network, we have not been approached by Harlow Council about their proposals and no funding is allocated for any such scheme."

Harlow Council told the LDRS earlier this week it will also examine connectivity to Crossrail 2, which runs from Surrey to Hertfordshire and connects their stations to London, as well as improving current public transport links in and out of the town.

Conservative councillor Michael Hardware, portfolio holder for strategic growth on Harlow Council, previously said: "With Harlow’s close proximity to London our plans include investigating the potential for the extension of the central line to Harlow, lobbying to extend London Transport Zones to Harlow, examining connectivity to Crossrail 2 and promoting four tracking of the mainline to Stansted Airport as well as improving existing public transport links in and out of the town.

"Our Town Plan, which will detail our ambitions, is being developed at present. A draft of the plan will be brought forwards within weeks and we will be involving the whole town in our vision with full consultation on the plan be held in the autumn. The draft plan will include our ambitions for levelling up transport infrastructure and much more besides."

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The developments are part of the Town Plan, which would see Harlow expand by 19,000 homes and to a population of 130,000 people.

The Harlow Town Plan also includes the move of Public Health England headquarters, a new hospital, a new Innovation Park for science and technology-focused businesses and the growth of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town.

The plan went to the Cabinet Policy Development Working Group last Thursday and is due to be discussed at a Cabinet meeting in September before public consultation.