A NEW Stanford-le-Hope station is set to move a step closer with contracts for the £36million project to be signed off.

Thurrock Council's cabinet will meet tonight (Wednesday, 7 May) to move forward on a revised plan for the station first put forward in 2017 after the former station building was demolished with no clear plans to replace it.

Despite downsizing a "transport interchange" to a shuttle bus stop on the road, the cost of the scheme is up on the £29million it was previously expected to cost and will mean the council will have to borrow £17.6million.

The report before cabinet tonight can be read here.

Cabinet is expected to enable officers to enter into contractual agreements to deliver the project and to appoint a contractor to alter the current design. It is hoped the project in partnership with Network Rail and DP World which is supplying £1 million towards the scheme, will improve rail services and travel to the surrounding economic and housing growth areas such as the freeport and logistics park.

The project will be delivered in three phases with infrastructure and design expected to last nine months, station construction, 15 months and, finally bridge works might be added.

Commissioners overseeing the cash-strapped council have welcomed the project. In the report to cabinet, they said: "A viable proposal has been developed which has taken account of the affordability and deliverability of the project.

"The project has properly engaged key partners and this has been developed as a shared solution. Close monitoring of progress will continue to be required."

Cllr Neil Speight, Independent member for Stanford-le-Hope West, said: "Any progress is good and I welcome the intent, but I think the ambition remains too high, as does the cost.

Councillor believes a bridge with lifts, such as the one installed at Tilbury, is not required as the platforms are both approachable from ground level within close proximity.

"We don't need a new turning circle, it's impractical and I genuinely don't think there will be a demand for an additional service to DP World and the logistics park, and even if there is, a 'loop' already exists via London Road, Stanford Road and the Manorway.

"One practical thing that could be done regarding improving the historic facility is to raise the platform height and reduce the gap between train and platform, particularly on the Southend-bound side but that's not even planned.

"Other than that, re-build the station entry with a ticket office, a kiosk and a toilet - that should not cost a lot .

"I do not understand why we are throwing good money after bad."

The council has already spent £14.2 million on the project including acquiring the current car park and the former Daybreak Windows site.

Cllr Speight added: "We don't need to borrow. DP World will still support the project, money exists in the Section 106 funding available for Stanford and the general fund for work such as this and the council can sell off the Daybreak Windows site and recoup some of the millions lost on this project."