The second of two contracts for building a new railway station at Beaulieu Park, Chelmsford in Essex, has been awarded by Network Rail to J Murphy & Sons Ltd.

The contract award became possible after Network Rail and Essex County Council concluded an agreement to complete the construction of the new station.

The contract, valued at £124 million, includes the main construction work for the new station on behalf of Essex County Council and Chelmsford City Council and the associated infrastructure required before the station can be opened for passengers. Facilities to be provided include:

• Three platforms with a central passing loop line to accommodate both stopping and non-stop services;
• Step-free access to all platforms via two lifts;
• Accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, waiting area, and retail/catering space;
• Ticketing facilities, with ticket vending machines and a gate line;
• Pedestrian and cycle access routes to the station;
• Parking for over 700 cars including 35 designated Blue Badge bays, motorcycle spaces, dedicated parking for station staff and emergency services, and a dedicated space for service access;
• 500 spaces for cycle parking and storage;
• A bus interchange including bus stands for local services;
• Pick up and drop off area with dedicated taxi bays.

The completion date for the station is currently planned for the end of 2025, and once open it will be managed by Greater Anglia.

Essex County Council signed an agreement with Network Rail to complete the station’s construction on 27 July, but an initial £37.8 million contract was awarded to J Murphy and Sons last January to begin the enabling work, including site set up, civil work, earthworks, and modifications to track and signalling.

Further information about the Beaulieu Park station is available at www.networkrail.co.uk/beaulieu

Katie Frost, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia said: “J Murphy and Sons have made an excellent start with the enabling and civils works and this contract award will allow us to seamlessly continue to deliver this amazing new station for Chelmsford without pause.

“Beaulieu Park station is an excellent example of what the railway industry can do when working in partnership with local organisations to improve the railway for the benefit of communities and businesses by delivering a new station for the Beaulieu community.”

Chris Cayton, Managing Director – Transportation, J Murphy & Sons Ltd, said “We’re very proud to be continuing our long partnership with Network Rail through the construction of Beaulieu Park station, a major enhancement to the transport network in Chelmsford. Significant progress has been made by the Murphy team over the past few months, including modification to the rail systems, groundworks and piling for the station building.

“In the coming months, residents will see their new station take shape, as the platforms are constructed, and the steelwork is erected, ahead of major commissioning of the railway infrastructure at Christmas.”