THURROCK Council's ruling cabinet is to be asked to approve the purchase of additional land adjacent to Stanford-le-Hope railway station - which they are told is 'within the current budget envelope.'

The station demolition and abortive rebuild has been a botched operation that has left the council open to much local criticism but councillors will be told the new options would "considerably reduce the risks the scheme is currently carrying".

Thurrock Nub News is aware of the plans in some detail but out of respect for the council and the potential commercial impact we will await a formal release from the authority.

Early in December we asked the council to inform the public of its plans but were told: "Thurrock Council continues to work with partners to deliver improvements to Stanford-le-Hope station.

"The council is currently reviewing work carried out to date and progress on the scheme.

"Commercial sensitivities around future plans and opportunities mean the council is unable to comment further at this time but we will ensure that station users and the local community are kept up-to-date as work continues."

Though the council has not issued any formal statement about its plans, the report to cabinet (which meets on Wednesday, 15 January) says: "The Stanford-le-Hope Interchange scheme involves the construction of new station buildings with footbridge and lifts, passenger information system, bus turnaround facility, passenger drop-off points and cycle parking.

"The location of the station within Stanford Le Hope is at times congested and busy. This is due to the constraints within the locality which include Mucking Creek, London Road and the railway crossing. The station is used as part of the travel plan for London Gateway DP World with buses bringing staff in to and collecting from the station during shift changeovers.

"The station is also heavily used for by commuters into London and there is limited availability of parking both at the station and within Stanford-le-Hope itself.

"Works were undertaken in March 2019 to demolish the existing station building to provide access into the remainder of the site to deliver the works. However, there are a number of issues that still need to be overcome to deliver the scheme.

"The preliminary design of the scheme, with a cantilevered deck, is an expensive option to deliver. A review of the design has been undertaken to identify alternative design and construction options to enable the

project to be delivered within the budget envelope.

"The review identified that the scheme could be delivered by amending the design to incorporate a retained fill of the void area beneath the existing

deck.

"The deck design is being driven by the need to provide a bus turnaround facility to relieve congestion along London Road during peak periods which in turn is driving the need to acquire the area at Mucking Creek and build out over the Creek which again increases the costs and

complexity of delivering the scheme to a high standard.

"The acquisition land, if acquired, could significantly improve both the quality and deliverability of the scheme that can be delivered. Primarily it would negate the need for the complicated and expensive cantilever deck, the need to build out over Mucking Creek and the need to rebuild the London Road Bridge, all of which are significantly increasing the costs and risks associated with the scheme.

"If the scheme were to be considered in two phases, it is believed that it could be delivered within the existing budget envelope.

"Phase 1 would be the delivery of the platform widening, stations forecourt area without the bus turnaround facility, footbridge and lifts and new high quality station building. This would result in a much improved public realm area in front of the station

"Phase 2 would involve the acquisition of the land set out in Appendix A (a document not released to the public )

which would provide a bus waiting and turnaround facility, passenger drop off as well as improved parking for the community of Stanford-le-Hope.

"The overall benefits of this proposal would result in improved public realm, a high quality design, improved parking and facilities for residents of the locality as well as commuters.

"This would also enable the scheme to be delivered within the existing budget envelope by removing the

expensive and complex elements of the scheme which are currently causing delay and increasing costs.

"Acquisition of the land and changes to the scheme would require further assessment and/or modification of the existing planning consent currently in place and a new consent if the acquisition site is secured.

"The proposed acquisition site has been identified as a solution to a number of issues and barriers to delivery of this important scheme.

"Progressing this alternative scheme contributes to the regeneration and economic growth objectives of the Council. Providing improved parking in the locality would support the local high street and provide a revenue

stream from parking charges."

Work on the rail station was suspended in June, though some temporary buildings were put in place in the existing car park in December. Link via red button below