Opening Day Excitement
The station officially welcomed passengers on a recent Sunday morning (October 26), marking the start of regular train services. Consequently, huge crowds, including dozens of train enthusiasts and residents, flocked to the platforms for the inaugural journeys; pictures showed historic moments of clapping and cheering as the first train approached.
The first ticket was purchased at the new facility, marking a landmark moment. Locals expressed feeling “lucky” to “watch history being made.”
Inaugural Journey Details
The very first scheduled train departed from Beaulieu Park at 07:20 am on Sunday, heading towards London Liverpool Street. The station, which is operated by Greater Anglia, is a landmark achievement, since it is the newest station to be built on the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML) in more than a century. Therefore, this project was described as “a long time in the making” for Chelmsford.
Key Station Features
The new station, located in Boreham, boasts three platforms to accommodate travelers. Furthermore, a new track is included for passing fast trains, along with a taxi rank and drop-off areas. Significantly, the design incorporates a central loop line and new tracks; therefore, this allows stopping services to call without fast trains being impeded.
The station is fully staffed from the first train to the last (04:30 to 02:00) and fully accessible. Importantly, step-free access is provided to all platforms via two lifts (Category A access). Facilities include accessible toilets, a Changing Places toilet, baby change facilities, ticket machines, and a substantial parking area.
Project Investment and Timeline
This vital transport project was completed at a cost of about £175 million. The funding, furthermore, was secured by Essex County Council and Chelmsford City Council, which successfully raised £218 million from the Government’s Housing and Infrastructure Fund (HIF), coupled with £34 million in contributions from SELEP and developers (Countryside and L&Q).
Although construction had only begun in March 2023, the work was finished slightly ahead of the anticipated end of the 2025 timeline.
Commuter Benefits and Destinations
Commuters are offered a swift journey, with travel time to London Liverpool Street estimated at just 40 minutes. In addition, passengers can travel directly to 18 destinations, including Shenfield, Colchester, Ipswich, and Norwich. During peak travel times, the station will have up to four trains per hour, which reduces to two per hour during the quieter off-peak period.
These new services reduce car journeys, subsequently lessening pollution for local communities. The station is expected to be very popular for residents and students attending nearby Beaulieu Park School and New Hall School.
Relief for Chelmsford
The new Beaulieu Park station is expected to significantly ease congestion at Chelmsford’s existing central station, which handles approximately 6.5 million passenger movements annually. Therefore, traffic congestion in the city center is expected to be reduced.
Part of Wider Regeneration
The Beaulieu Park station is integrated into a broader regeneration initiative for the Beaulieu Park estate. This larger scheme includes new road infrastructure and the development of up to 14,000 homes, supporting the creation of the Chelmsford Garden Community.
Access is improved by the new Beaulieu Parkway relief road from the A12, and the planned Chelmsford North-East bypass will provide a direct route from Braintree. This landmark development is set to unlock thousands of new houses and generate a £250 million economic boost for the region.
Long-Term Vision
The station is a major transport milestone for the area. Essex County Council Deputy Leader Louise McKinlay stated that the station “will have a positive impact” for years, future-proofing the county’s transport infrastructure.
Ticket and Parking Costs
A peak day return ticket from Beaulieu Park to London Liverpool Street costs £42.60, with an off-peak return at £28.20. A seven-day season ticket is priced at £134.60. The station has a total of 705 parking spaces across two car parks. Parking charges in Car Park A start at £3.50 for one hour, rising to £11.50 for the day on weekdays. Importantly, Blue Badge parking at the station is free.
Conclusion
The opening of Beaulieu Park station is a transformative event for Chelmsford. It eases city center congestion, bolsters economic growth, and significantly improves rail connectivity for thousands of residents.
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