A £4 million project to build a foot and cycle path to Chelmsford Train Station is set to begin construction this month.

Called the Mill Yard Gateway project, it will create a new link connecting the station with the Marconi quarter, Eastwood House, New Street and Anglia Ruskin University.
The project will create new pedestrian paths and cycleways to the station’s north entrance and to Victoria Road.

Once construction work begins on Monday, October 23, use of the Mill Yard tunnel will no longer be available. 

Work on the new access to the station is expected to finish in April 2018.

This project is being led by Chelmsford City Council, alongside Greater Anglia, Bellway Homes and Essex County Council.

Leader of Chelmsford City Council, Roy Whitehead, said: “I am so pleased to be able to announce the project to improve the access to the city station.

“This will improve the area so much for our commuters and visitors.”

The £4 million cost is being met by Government funding, provided through the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and funding from nearby housing developments. The work is being carried out by building contractor Dyer and Butler.

The contractor will start construction work at the north-east side of the station, next to the taxi rank and Townfield Street car park. Drop-off vehicle routes will be moved to the north side of the station alongside an enhanced taxi rank. 

There will be a new bridge over the path to station car parking on Mill Yard.

At present the link to the east is awkward, through a very narrow tunnel. For decades, pedestrians have walked around the Marconi factory to get to New Street and Anglia Ruskin University.

This project and the new street through the Bellway Homes development will provide a new direct route benefiting businesses and residents in the north east part of the city centre.

There will be piling and earth moving, with construction vehicles coming and going throughout the week.

The contractor will work with Chelmsford City Council and Greater Anglia to minimise inconvenience to station users and neighbouring homes and businesses.