Applause and cheers from crowds greet train arriving this morning at first new station on the part of the network since 1920s
Railway fanatics flocked to a town in Essex today to be part of history as the first new train station opened on the Eastern main line for 100 years. Beaulieu Park was the first station to open its doors on this part of the UK rail network network since way back in the 1920s. There was great excitement as the 7.20am train pulled in from Colchester for the historic stop. Crowds of people clapped and cheered as the train arrived. Rail chiefs were particularly pleased because the £175m station is opening four months early. Excited passengers were onboard the train which then headed to London Liverpool St. Andy Cross, 47, said: “I just wanted to be part of history. It was a special moment.”
Dozens of passengers were on the platform watching the train arrive. Many took photos and video and some live streamed the event. An hour earlier many were waiting to purchase their tickets.
The station is part of a new super green initiative project near Chelmsford, Essex. Martin Beable, Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, said: “We have been really looking forward to the opening of Beaulieu Park station, the first new station on the Great Eastern Main Line in over 100 years.
“Beaulieu Park station will benefit from a regular and reliable service of up to four trains per hour during peak times and two trains per hour during off peak periods, making rail travel simple and convenient for passengers.”
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader at Essex County Council, said: “Essex is pioneering the type of infrastructure-supported growth that’s on the national agenda, being bold and ambitious in our commitment to future-proofing the county and putting investment where it’s most needed.
“The new Beaulieu Park station is testament to this, and the role it will play in transforming travel in this part of Chelmsford and surrounding areas will have a positive impact for years to come.
“I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work to get the project to this stage. I’m very much looking forward to the station opening.”
The new station will transform travel north of Chelmsford as it will eases pressure on the existing busy Chelmsford train station and reduces car journeys into the city centre.
The station is a significant addition to the Beaulieu and Channels neighbourhoods in the north of the city, which form the first phases of the new Chelmsford Garden Community.
4,350 homes already have planning permission as part of the Garden Community. This includes 1,989 new homes which have already been built, along with the Beaulieu Square Neighbourhood Centre providing local shops, community and health services.
This is in addition to the Beaulieu Park School – the first all-through primary and secondary school in Essex.
Another 6,250 homes, a second all-through school campus, up to three primary schools with early years and childcare provision, up to four standalone early-years facilities, more than nine hectares of employment space and walking and cycling routes will also be delivered as part of the Garden Community in the coming years.
Beaulieu Park Station will provide easier and quicker access to jobs, helping the economic development of the area and encouraging further investment.
Beable added: “We expect the new station to be a very attractive and popular option for travellers from that part of Essex.”