Beaulieu Park Station development, Chelmsford - infrastructure improvements

About the scheme

In 2022 planning permission was granted by Chelmsford City Council (ref: 22/00473/REM) for a new railway station to be built on the Great Eastern Main Line.

It is anticipated that the new station will improve transport links in the area, reducing car journeys into the city and improving facilities for rail users.

Construction works to build the station has already begun with updates on progress being made available on the National Railway and Chelmsford City Council webpages.

• Network Rail 
• Chelmsford City Council 
• Essex County Council - North East Bypass 

Planned highway improvements

In order to support the station, Countryside Zest, the developer for the Beaulieu development, will be undertaking the following:

Station Link - construction between Spring 2024 and Spring 2025

Station Link will be new highway infrastructure connecting A131 Beaulieu Parkway with the future Beaulieu Park Railway Station and Generals Lane.

Station Link will comprise a two-way carriageway, 10.5 metres in width including filter lanes that will provide access to the future adjacent residential parcels and a dedicated right hand filter lane into Generals Lane.

Off-carriageway footpaths/cycle paths are proposed on either side of the road and along the western side of Generals Lane. Bus stops are incorporated in either direction.

The proposals also include widening a section of Generals Lane up to the junction with New Hall Lane.

Car Park Link - construction between Spring 2024 and Winter of 2024/25

New highway infrastructure that will connect the A131 Beaulieu Parkway with the future Station car park.  Access to the existing Bulls Lodge Quarry will remain.

Bus Link and cycle access to station from White Hart Lane - construction between Summer 2024 to Spring 2025

Construction of a two-way bus link as well as pedestrian and cycle paths to connect the Beaulieu Park Railway Station to White Hart Lane.

• It is proposed to alter and widen the existing access road to New Hall School from White Hart Lane to accommodate a two-way bus link. This will join Beaulieu Park Railway Station.

• In addition to facilitating buses accessing to and from Beaulieu Park Railway Station, the road will continue to provide one-way access to New Hall School from White Hart Lane.

• A 3.5 metre shared cycle path and footway is proposed to run from Burnell Gate, along the north-east and north-west edge of the Beaulieu Park Recreation Ground and then continue north-east along the edge of the Wharton Drive dwellings and the edge of the Deer Park. This shared path would then run parallel to the bus link and cross The Avenue, facilitating connection with the shared path provided as part of Beaulieu Parkway Station.

How they will affect you

Countryside Zest are responsible for communicating their own work, and those carried out by their appointed contractors, however we will also share details of these highway works as details become available.

Highway works relating to this scheme will be carried out in a number of phases, with traffic management varied to reflect different activities. 

Care has been taken to create a programme that minimises inconvenience to residents, businesses and the travelling public as much as reasonably practical which includes programming works, where possible, during the school holiday period.

Generals Lane:

Given the narrow nature of Generals Lane and the safety clearances required to operate plant and machinery in the vicinity of live traffic, it is not possible to allow the public to use the new road during construction.

Arrangements have been made to utilise the school holidays when carrying out some of the most disruptive works on Generals Lane (which involve a road closure), to minimise local inconvenience.  Other works will be required at a later date, with alternative traffic restrictions in place.

During the closure of Generals Lane, a diversion route will be in place via a temporary connection to Beaulieu Parkway for residents of Generals Lane, emergency services and deliveries. Alternative arrangements have been agreed with New Hall School.

• When pedestrian access is affected by the works, alternative diversions will be in place.
• Vehicular access will be maintained to properties within the works, however temporary accesses may be necessary during various stages of the scheme, so extra care is advised when travelling in the area.
• Drivers are advised to allow extra time when driving through the area, observing all signage in place.

Further information

Please note that the programme may be subject to change as the scheme progresses, particularly for works that may be affected by poor weather.

For the latest information visit One.Network and site signage.

Countryside Zest are responsible for sharing the latest information about these works and can be contacted using the details provided below.

Contact details

If you have questions relating to this developer scheme, please use the following contact details:

• Samuel Groom, Breheny Site Agent
• T: 07785 266748
• E: S.Groom@Breheny.co.uk