The new £175 million Beaulieu Park Station has officially opened, marking a significant transport milestone for Chelmsford and the wider East of England. Operated by Greater Anglia, the state-of-the-art facility opened ahead of schedule and within the 200th anniversary year of the modern railway. The station is served by regular Greater Anglia services offering up to four trains per hour during peak times and two per hour off-peak, providing direct journeys to London Liverpool Street in just 40 minutes and to Colchester in 25 minutes.

Beaulieu Park welcomed its first passenger service on Sunday 26 October 2025 with the 07:20 departure to London Liverpool Street. The official opening followed on 27 October, led by Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy and local MP Sir James Cleverly, who unveiled a commemorative plaque. The event was attended by representatives from Essex County Council, Chelmsford City Council, Greater Anglia, Network Rail, and housing developers Countryside (part of Vistry Group) and L&Q.

The modern station features three platforms, a bi-directional central loop line allowing fast trains to pass stopping services, step-free access throughout, and eight ticket machines. It also includes two car parks providing over 700 spaces, a bus interchange, and 500 covered cycle spaces, including secure paid storage. Designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind, the station is expected to ease congestion in central Chelmsford and support residents of new housing developments in the area.

Funded by £141 million from the Government’s Housing and Infrastructure Fund and £34 million from local partners, Beaulieu Park Station represents a successful collaboration between central government, local authorities, and private developers. Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “With over £140 million of Government investment, the opening of Beaulieu Park Station marks a major milestone for the East of England – delivering faster, more reliable journeys, strengthening local communities, and supporting thousands of jobs. Under the trusted services of publicly-owned Greater Anglia, we’re delivering on our Plan for Change by building a simpler, more modern rail network that Britain needs and deserves.”

Sir James Cleverly MP praised the project’s role in unlocking local growth, saying: “This piece of infrastructure is about unlocking the potential of our wonderful county and in particular this bit of Essex. It is not just about moving people around the map - it is about making sure this area has its full potential unlocked.”

Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader at Essex County Council, added: “It is fantastic to see Beaulieu Park Station open. This key piece of infrastructure will improve journey times and connectivity around the county and into the capital. It is a great example of how planning should be done - new developments built with the infrastructure that works for residents, visitors and businesses.” Chelmsford City Council Leader Cllr Stephen Robinson agreed, noting: “It is vital that new housing development is supported by new facilities such as transport, schools and open spaces. As the Chelmsford Garden Community progresses, we need to see more of this kind of infrastructure.”

Greater Anglia Managing Director Martin Beable said: “Beaulieu Park station will benefit from a regular and reliable service of up to four trains per hour during peak times and two during off-peak periods, making rail travel simple and convenient for passengers. Services will be operated by our new, air-conditioned class 720 trains, which also offer plug/USB points and free Wi-Fi.”

Network Rail’s Route Director for Anglia, Katie Frost, described the station’s opening as a historic milestone: “Today marks the first time a new station has opened on the Great Eastern Main Line in over a century. And to do this in the 200th anniversary of the railway shows how relevant it still is to the millions of passengers who use it each year.”

Representing the developers, Martin Leach, Managing Director of Vistry Strategic Land & Major Projects, said: “Delivering the infrastructure required to create thriving long-term communities plays a crucial part in our approach to placemaking and we are enormously proud to see Beaulieu Park Station now open. Its arrival will have a transformative impact on residents, providing easy and quick access into London and easing congestion in and around Chelmsford town centre.”

Image: Greater Anglia