“RIDICULOUS” delays to stalled plans for a “new modern station” have been slammed as Greater Anglia admitted there was still "no timeline" for construction.

Wickford Station’s ticket office was demolished in 2020 when plans were approved to raze the station to the ground and replace it with a new station and extended platforms.

Part of the station has been surrounded in hoardings since and little other work has taken place after delays in the Covid pandemic.

Greater Anglia has confirmed its business plan has now been approved and it will go to tender this summer to find a contractor, but it could still be months until work resumes.

Wickford Independent candidate, Eunice Brockman (pictured inset), has demanded immediate action over the works, while Mark Francois MP for Rayleigh and Wickford has repeatedly pushed for action.

“This is all another example of Wickford getting let down,” Ms Brockman said.

“Truthfully, they must be held to account for letting anyone down. The people of Wickford deserve better and it is a busy commuter town, even the car parking around the station is quite bad, the station platform could have just been extended, they didn’t have to take the building down.

“There also needs to be more CCTV out the front of the station, which doesn’t seem to have been implemented. It is ridiculous and we want action, not words at this point.”

The new station was set to include a clock tower, covered platforms and a coffee kiosk.

A Greater Anglia spokesman said: “We have secured planning permission and made provision for the next stage of the process in our business plan for the next year. The next step will be for the project to be put out to tender in the summer. Once bids are received, and subject to them being compliant, a programme for the delivery of the scheme and provision of the new facilities will be confirmed. Until then, we are not in a position to advise of the exact timescales for completion of the project.”

Wickford Independent candidate Ms Brockman is running in Wickford North against Dave Collins (Reform UK), Trevor Hammond (Wickford Ind), Peter Holliman (Con), Karen Manterfield (Lib Dem), David Aldridge (Wickford Ind), Peter Holliman (Con), Don Morris (Con), Joe Nemeth (Lab) and Penny Wright (Green) ahead of the May 2 elections. Three councillors will be elected in the ward.