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Transportation Planning
Environment, Sustainability & Highways
Essex County Council
County Hall
CM1 1QH

Telephone: 0845 603 7631

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Witham Station Access Improvements

Overview

The Witham Station Access Improvements scheme opened to the public on 31st August 2011. 
 
The construction of a second access and bridge at Witham Rail Station was a long-held aspiration for Essex County Council, Braintree District Council and Network Rail, but due to funding difficulties the scheme was previously postponed.
 
Previously, passengers who drove to the station parked their cars in the car park on the south side of the railway line and walked around the station to the entrance, via the road bridge. 
 
Disabled passengers followed the same route, both difficult and time-consuming.
 

Funding and Delivery

Funding was agreed for the scheme in 2009 and an agreement was put in place with Network Rail for them to construct the new footbridge.  Kier were duly appointed as the main contractor in 2010 and the scheme has now been completed within programme and to budget.
 
Essex County Council funded approximately two-thirds of the £2.2million project, with the remaining funding being provided by Network Rail and £250,000 being provided through Department for Transport Access for All Small Schemes Funding.
 
The work ran from January to August 2011, with two weekend closures on 6th and 13th March 2011 to allow the new section of the footbridge to be lifted into place, as publicized at Witham Station and on the National Express East Anglia website.  The artist’s impression of the completed scheme is available.
 

Objectives and Improvements

The improvement works for this scheme included:
  • The installation of a second entrance
  • Extension of the existing footbridge, to provide access from Easton Road car park
  • Step-free access and through-lift to enable wheelchair and pram user access
  • Additional disabled parking
  • New cycle storage facilities 
  • Customer information via push-button Help Point.
The new entrance and associated improvements will greatly enhance the customer experience, particularly those who require step-free access.
 
Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please visit www.networkrail.co.uk or telephone Essex County Council on 0845 603 7631 or Network Rail’s 24 hour National Helpline on 08457 11 41 41.