Published on: Wednesday, 26 May 2021
Last updated: Wednesday, 16 June 2021
Customers using Wickford railway station are being advised about changes during the coming weeks, as Greater Anglia carries out improvements work to prepare the station for the introduction of its new trains.
Between Thursday 3 and Saturday 26 June, platform 1 will be extended to be able to accommodate Greater Anglia’s new longer trains.
While the work takes place, all trains for the Southminster line will depart from platform 4, instead of platform 1.
Customers can access platform 4 via the footbridge and anyone with accessibility needs can arrive at the station via the south exit, directly onto platforms 3/4, where they can also buy a ticket.
Additional staff will also be on hand to help customers during this time.
The improvement work is part of a £4m project which will see:
• A new ticket office, with two ticket office windows
• A new upgraded accessible waiting hall, with charging points and seating
• New toilets including new and improved accessible toilets
• New and improved customer information screens and CCTV
• A new shop where customers can buy food and hot drinks
The old station building has been demolished and a temporary ticket office has been installed to ensure minimal disruption to customers.
Paula Wilson, Greater Anglia’s Area Customer Service Manager, said: "We advise passengers to familiarise themselves with the changes before they travel and to allow extra time for their journeys, if they need to.
"We are investing in Wickford to make it better for our customers. The proposed work will transform the station, bringing in new facilities for the 2.2 million people who use the station each year.
"This work is essential to allow us to run our new, longer trains to and from Wickford and it is a good opportunity to also upgrade customer facilities at the station.
"We are transforming the railway in East Anglia, with a complete fleet of new trains and £60 million worth of improvements to stations."
Greater Anglia is replacing every single one of its existing trains with brand new trains, which will all be longer with more seats. The first of the new Alstom commuter trains came into service last November.
All new trains will have USB and plug points, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, improved passenger information systems and accessible seating areas and toilets. They are greener, cleaner and better for the environment.
Alstom is building 111 trains for Greater Anglia which will run between London Liverpool Street and Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.
The Alstom trains have underfloor heating – a first for UK trains – which works with an overhead heating and ventilation system to improve passenger comfort and increase foot room for passengers sitting in window seats.