RESIDENTS and businesses in Brentwood and Shenfield are being urged to come to two Crossrail information events being held next week.

The events will allow people to find out more about Crossrail, the work that will be taking place and any potential impact on the local area. Residents will get the chance to ask questions of representatives from Crossrail and Network Rail.

The Brentwood event is being held from 3pm-7pm on Wednesday, July 23, at Brentwood Baptist Church. The Shenfield event will take place the following day from 2pm-8pm at Shenfield Parish Hall.

At Brentwood station, platforms will be extended for Crossrail and new lifts are being installed under the ‘Access for All’ programme.

At Shenfield, a new bay platform will be constructed and new sidings will be created next to the station. Both stations will benefit from new signage, help points, customer information screens and CCTV. Works to the track and overhead electric cables will also be carried out to add capacity to the railway.

Construction work at Shenfield is due to get underway in winter 2015, although Network Rail will set up its worksite from summer 2015. Work is due to be completed in early 2017. Main works at Brentwood work are due to start in spring 2015 and to complete by late summer 2015.

Crossrail Surface Director Matthew White said: “Crossrail will provide a step change in public transport for people in and around Brentwood and Shenfield – better stations, new trains, and the option to travel right through central London without having to change onto the Underground.

“We recognise the need to keep residents and businesses right up to date with the works that are going to be taking place in the area. These events are a great opportunity for residents to find out more about Crossrail and to get answers to any specific questions they may have.”