A £4 million station overhaul has been abandoned half-finished amid financial complications caused by the pandemic.

Greater Anglia unveiled plans to redevelop Wickford railway station, with extended platforms and a new station building in May 2020.

However, the new station building project is on hold, with customers left with “soviet style portacabin” temporary ticket office instead.

Wickford Park councillor George Jeffery is calling on the firm to step up and complete the works.

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“As a user of trains to and from London, I appreciate the new trains, but what I want to see is the new station and ticket office completed as promised after the historic building was demolished,” he said.

“During the winter months, commuters and travellers should be able to purchase tickets and use a fully functional train station as promised by the operators.”

Greater Anglia says it is facing “significant funding challenges” as a result of Covid-19 and cannot commit to the rebuild, but instead will “take a look” at funding the completion of the project over the next two financial years.

Mr Jeffery added: “Whilst we all know the pandemic reduced passenger numbers, an unattractive environment will not encourage greater use of the trains damaging profitability of the train companies.

“Network Rail and Greater Anglia should get on with the job and deliver for Wickford.”

The work to replace the station building, part of a £4 million scheme, had included plans for a new ticket office, with two ticket office windows, a new upgraded waiting hall, with charging points and seating, new toilets, and a new refreshments shop.

A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “The significant funding challenges facing the rail industry, as we emerge from the pandemic, have meant that so far we have not been able to make further progress in redeveloping Wickford station, following on from the platform extension project.

“We will look at the practicalities of taking forward additional improvements, over the next two financial years, subject to obtaining the necessary funding and approvals. In the meantime, potential options for putting in additional customer shelters at the station are being examined.”