Network Rail has awarded a new contract to Octavius for the improvement of accessibility at Southend East station for c2c passengers, the second it has awarded the civil engineering company within the past month.
Upgrades for the station include the installation of two new lifts and an accessible footbridge in order to provide better access for passengers with reduced mobility, pushchairs or heavy luggage.
The improvement works, which have been made possible through funding from the Department for Transport’s ‘Access for All’ scheme, will begin preparatory works this autumn, with the completion expected by the end of 2026.
Earlier this month, Network Rail awarded Octavius a contract for the delivery of accessibility improvements at Chalkwell station along the same line, which also includes the installation of new lifts and the replacement of an existing footbridge. The awarding of a second contract to Octavius will allow for both projects to be completed as part of a joined-up delivery programme.
Katie Frost, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said:With Octavius on board at Southend East as well as at Chalkwell, we are now driving forward a more inclusive railway with confidence. Working with our partners, this is a significant step towards delivering these benefits at Southend East for the benefit of all passengers who use the station.
The work is being coordinated with c2c, which is responsible for the operation of Southend East station, alongside Southend City Council.
Network Rail will host a public drop-in event before construction begins to answer any questions from passengers or local residents. A date for this is yet to be determined.
Isayas Tecleberhan, Octavius Infrastructure Framework Director, said:Following on from the recent Chalkwell Station announcement, being awarded Southend East extends our portfolio of AfA projects to well over thirty schemes, making Octavius one of the UK’s most experienced AfA delivery partners.
We continue to innovate, adopting a vertical linear beam (VLB) lift, at Southend East, only the third time the technology has been used on the UK rail network. The first VLB project was at Grays, another Octavius scheme.
