Passengers using Southend East station will see temporary changes from June 2026 as work begins on a major accessibility upgrade designed to pave the way for future lift installation.
The project, being delivered by Great British Rail Anglia in partnership with c2c, Greater Anglia, and Network Rail Anglia, will provide new power supplies and associated systems required for the planned lifts, supporting the station’s long-term move towards step-free access.
During the works, the station’s northern entrance will be unavailable. Passengers are asked to use the southern entrance to access Platform 1 for London-bound services, while those travelling towards Shoeburyness can reach Platform 2 via the existing station footbridge.
Southend East will be closed to customers on the weekends of 6-7 June and 20-21 June to allow key stages of the programme to take place. Rail replacement buses will operate between Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness on those dates.
Separately, Riviera Drive, outside the station, will be closed from 11 to 16 June to allow materials to be delivered, with a signed diversion route available. The temporary station access arrangements will remain in place until further notice, with the reopening date for the northern entrance yet to be confirmed.
Customers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and to check before travelling.
“These works form an important part of delivering accessibility improvements at Southend East station. The underground power and systems installation is essential to support the new lifts, and the temporary arrangements allow us to carry out this crucial phase of the project safely.
“This is one of the enabling stages needed to create space for the new lifts and replacement footbridge, so passengers may start to see more visible changes at the station as the project moves forward.”
Joe Kennedy, infrastructure director for GBR Anglia.
Responses
Chalkwell station also needs upgrades including new lifts to access platform 1 and platform 2. And plans for a new railway station at Beam Park in East London. And Stanford-le-Hope station could also do with some upgrades unless it’s already been refurbished.
Lead of course by a “Director” …from what appears to be another part of the industry “GBR Anglia”
“The project, being delivered by Great British Rail Anglia in partnership with c2c, Greater Anglia, and Network Rail Anglia,”
Sounds an awful lot of managers / management in that array. For starters “Anglia” gets a mention 3 times then there is the usual Network Rail hang on and now it also seems Great British Rail.