The Leader of Essex County Council has visited Beaulieu Park station, which is currently under construction, and expected transform travel in and around Chelmsford once complete.
Council Leader Kevin Bentley and Special Lead Member Lesley Wagland joined Councillor Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, to see how the new station was progressing ahead of its 2025 launch.
The councillors saw how crews were able to lay a new track, complete the station structure and finish the roof following a planned eight-day closure over Christmas.
Essex County Council reported that it is progressing at an impressive rate, with regular users of the train line able to see noticeable progress as they travel by.
With a modern design and a larch roof, it is expected to become an appealing station for commuters and other train users.
The councillors also heard from Network Rail and developer J Murphy & Sons about preparations to carry out works in winter conditions, with snow ploughs, hot air blowers and steam jets on site.
Beaulieu Park station is one of the capital projects the council has committed to supporting as part of its budget for 2024/25.
As the first railway station on the Great Eastern mainline in over 100 years, it will relieve pressure at Chelmsford train station and reduce car journeys into the city. This will in turn reduce congestion and pollution on local roads.
The station will provide travel to London Liverpool Street in 40 minutes and sport three platforms, along with car parking, a public transport interchange, cycle facilities and a new track for passing trains.
It is being funded by a £172 million package. This includes £131.5 million from the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, £12 million from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, £22 million from developers Countryside and L&Q and up to £7.5 million from the council.
Connected transport links like the new Beaulieu Parkway relief road and North East Bypass will play significant roles in facilitating seamless travel around Chelmsford.
The station is also an important addition to the Beaulieu and Channels neighbourhoods north of Chelmsford, which form the first phase of the new Chelmsford Garden Community.
Councillor Kevin Bentley said: “I am pleased to see Beaulieu Park station is on the fast track to a 2025 launch.
“Combined with new transport links such as the Beaulieu Parkway relief road and North East Bypass, it will significantly ease congestion and pollution to transform how residents travel around this part of Essex.
“As a regular user of this train line myself, I am pleased to see the progress the station has already made, and I look forward to continuing to see the construction work on my commutes.
“It is not just about building a new station – it is about unlocking opportunities for local growth. It’s paramount that Essex County Council continues working with partners to deliver developments such as this that enable growth for generations to come.”
Amy Farmer, Network Rail sponsor for Beaulieu Park station, said: “We were delighted to be able to show the Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Members the progress we’ve made in constructing the new station.
“We have achieved a crucial milestone with the mainline switched to a new track alignment, along with the station’s main structure and roof completed.
“Beaulieu Park station is a great example of how the rail industry can work together to enhance the railway for local communities and future generations of rail users.”
