CONTRACTORS have been appointed and work is scheduled to start shortly on the much-delayed and over budget Stanford-le-Hope rail station.

Thurrock Council has announced it has appointed British engineering and construction company VolkerFitzpatrick to carry out the work on a project that is now almost £20 million above its initial budget - though no mention of cost has been made in the latest council announcement.

The council says the company will complete the crucial next stage of detailed design works before spades hit the ground this summer.

In the announcement, Cllr Mark Coxshall, cabinet member for regeneration, strategic planning and external relationships said: "Stanford-le-Hope needs and deserves a fit-for-purpose station that is accessible and safe and I am pleased to announce that work to progress the crucial redevelopment of Stanford-le-Hope railway station is now moving at pace."

Cllr Coxshall is the responsible councillor who had earlier pledged the project would not burst the £20 million mark, though -as Nub News reported in January - it now expected to cost £30 million. The project was originally costed at just over £10 million.

In his latest statement he said: "VolkerFitzpatrick's appointment means we can now get the job done for the residents of Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham, Fobbing and Horndon on the Hill, as we continue to build the right infrastructure to support our residents and local businesses."

The new station will feature step-free access from the street, wider platforms with covered waiting areas, increased cycle storage, and facilities for a coffee vendor. A footbridge with lifts will also be installed to help improve accessibility.

Mike Evans, VolkerFitzpatrick's operations director, said: "We are very pleased to be appointed to deliver the major redevelopment of Stanford-le-Hope railway station.

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"We will work closely with the council and the local community to deliver this project. It will provide improved travel links that will create access to existing and new local job opportunities."

The council adds: "The council will continue to work with local residents, businesses and stakeholders including c2c and Network Rail as works progress. Find out more about the project at thurrock.gov.uk/stanford-le-hope-growth.