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Tuesday 3 Sep 2024

Autumn weekend engineering work for new Beaulieu Park station

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Weekend engineering work for the construction of Beaulieu Park station will continue this autumn to integrate the new transport hub for Chelmsford into the existing railway network.

Construction of the new Beaulieu Park station has been progressing well over the recent months. The new station building structure has been completed and topped off with a wooden laminated roof to provide a visually striking environment for passengers.

The main station footbridge was installed in May to connect the station building to the island platform and will have lifts installed to provide step free access. The platform structures have also been constructed with partial canopies to provide weather protection for future passengers.

Major work has also been taking place to upgrade the overhead wire electrification systems along the main line, install new track, update the signals, power systems, telecoms and ancillary systems that will support the new station once opened. This work will continue over the following autumn weekend dates which will affect rail services for Greater Anglia passengers:

Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September	Buses replace trains between Witham and Ingatestone.
Sunday 22 September	Buses replace trains between Witham and Ingatestone and between Witham and Braintree.
Sunday 29 September*	Buses replace trains between Witham/Southend Victoria and Newbury Park tube station & between Southminster and Wickford.
Sunday 6 October	Buses replace trains between Witham and Ingatestone.
Sunday 13 October	Buses replace trains between Witham and Ingatestone.
Sunday 3 November	Buses replace trains between Witham and Ingatestone.

*Important engineering work is taking place on the Great Eastern Main line between London and Witham and on the Southend Victoria and Southminster lines on Sunday 29 September which includes maintenance of the track, electrical systems and ancillary rail systems to keep services running reliably and safety for all rail users.  

Weekend passengers travelling on these dates are advised to check National Rail Enquiries or with Greater Anglia before travelling and allow extra time as journeys may include a bus replacement service. 

The aim is to complete all the critical infrastructure and rail system upgrades for Beaulieu Park station by Christmas 2024, allowing the remaining station elements such as internal fit out, station systems, carparks, lighting and landscaping to be completed in the following months in preparation for station opening for passengers by the end of 2025. 

Lawrence Bowman, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia said: "We're cracking on with building the new station at Beaulieu Park on behalf of Essex County Council alongside our principle contractor, Murphy. 

"We've worked hard with Greater Anglia to minimise weekend disruption, however Christmas will be a crucial time to bring the new rail systems into use and we need these autumn dates to make sure we deliver for this critical milestone.

"I want to thank all our weekend passengers for their continuing patience while we build this new station on the main line."

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “Work is well underway to build the new Beaulieu Park railway station, which will hugely benefit people in Essex.

“A rail replacement service will run while these works take place, and passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey this autumn.

“We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out.”

The latest aerial footage of Beaulieu Park station can be viewed by clicking here