Work to begin on new station in Chelmsford early next year
The new Beaulieu Park station could be open by the end of 2025
Work on a brand new station in part of Chelmsford is set to begin in the new year after Essex County Council agreed a contract with Network Rail.
A contrator to build the Beaulieu Park project will be chosen in January, with contruction to begin in the months afterwards.
The new station is part of a £250m plan which also includes the Chelmsford North East Bypass.
Both will support around 14,000 new homes which are planned in the area in the coming decades.
The new Beaulieu Park station will be the first to be built on the Great Eastern Mainline in around 100 years.
It's expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Councillor Lesley Wagland, of Essex County Council, said: “This is an exciting and significant step forward in work on the new Beaulieu Park station getting started."
"It will not only provide an important service to commuters in Chelmsford and ease congestion in the city centre, it allows Essex County Council to future proof transport services in the area and support wider economic growth.”
Ellie Burrows, of Network Rail, said: “By working in partnership to deliver a new railway station for the Beaulieu Park, this is a great example of how the railway industry can work proactively with local government and private enterprise to deliver growth and prosperity for local communities.
“With construction set to begin early in 2023, Beaulieu Park will be the first new station built on the Great Eastern main line in over 100 years, providing a new gateway to London, Essex and beyond.”