Brentwood and Audley End stations receive major investment

National Express East Anglia (NXEA) has commenced a major improvement scheme at Brentwood station in Essex, representing an investment of £1.5m as part of the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP), working in partnership with Network Rail and key stakeholders in developing this scheme for the benefit of rail passengers atBrentwood.  

 Clive Morris, National Express East Anglia’s Head of Customer Service – South East said: “I am delighted that we have secured National Stations Improvement Programme funding in order to progress these major improvements atBrentwood station. It will help transform the facilities at the station for our customers.”

 NXEA has listened to customer feedback and worked with Network Rail to determine priorities for improvement atBrentwood station. The key element of the package of works at Brentwood is the relocation of the ticket office to the former parcels office to the left of the main station entrance. This will provide more space for customers, creating a larger entrance hall area, with space for self-service ticket machines and a new retail kiosk. A new canopy across the station entrance will cover separate entrance doors to the ticket hall and entrance hall.

 As Brentwood is a future Crossrail station and already earmarked for the installation of customer lifts, provision for these further developments are being made as part of the improvement works.

 On the London bound platform, toilets and waiting rooms will be refurbished. On the Shenfield bound platform similar refurbishments will take place and additional cycle parking will be provided.

 Andrew Munden, Network Rail route director, said: “The improvements being made at Brentwood will give passengers what they want – a safer, brighter, more spacious station providing an improved environment for everyone travelling by train. Britain relies on rail and the planned new facilities are a great example of how the rail industry is working together to bring Britain’s stations into the 21st century, encouraging even greater use of the railway network.”

 Brentwood is one of 5 stations on the NXEA network which will benefit from the National Stations Improvement Programme.

Work is about to begin at National Express East Anglia’s Audley End railway station which will improve links with other forms of transport for the benefit of all visitors to the station. The project is led by Essex County Council and will involve an investment of approximately £130K. 

 Councillor Norman Hume, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation at Essex County Council said: “Essex County Council is pleased to invest in this busy station. Audley End has direct links to London and Cambridge, which means that improvements to this station will benefit the residents of the area greatly.”

Improvements at the station will include:

•           a new turning area for buses,

•           a new bus stop,  

•           a new taxi rank,

•           improved cycle parking provision,

•           better circulation for cars in the main car park.

Alan Neville, National Express East Anglia’s Area Manager said:  “We welcome this investment by Essex County Council which will greatly improve transport interchange facilities at Audley End station. We have already provided an enlarged car park here, and Network Rail has improved access for disabled customers. This project provides a much needed boost for the growing numbers of people who arrive at our station by bus, taxi or bike, and completes the investment at one of our busiest stations.”  

Brentwood station.