WORK on the Crossrail programme in Brentwood and Shenfield will officially start this weekend.

From Sunday, February, Network Rail will gain access to the railway embankment behind Friars Avenue and begin preparatory work. Then on from the week commencing, Monday, February 9, de-vegetation will begin to clear land for a new platform at Shenfield station and to strengthen the embankment.

The clearance is expected to last around three weeks and Crossrail say it will be kept to an absolute minimum. Letters have been sent to all nearby properties and representatives from Network Rail have visited residents to make sure that they know about the works.

Network Rail is in contact with residents to see whether additional trees can be planted at 1a to 25 Friars Avenue to mitigate the impact of tree removal along the railway.

The majority of the work will take place during week days, however a small amount of vegetation close to the overhead power lines can only be removed when trains are not running, so will be taken out over the weekend.

It’s expected that no more than two lorries a day will be required for the de-vegetation works. Traffic marshals will co-ordinate all traffic and pedestrian movements and clear signage will be installed for lorries, cars and pedestrians. Lorries will enter Friars Avenue car park via Hutton Road and Friars Avenue.

At Brentwood, Network Rail will shortly set up its worksite in the station car park. From Monday, February 2, 20 spaces will be needed and work to extend the platforms will be carried out between February and July.

Councillor Barry Aspinell, leader of Brentwood Council, said: “We have been working hard with the Crossrail team to make sure that any inconvenience to local residents and traders is kept to an absolute bare minimum.

“Although the Crossrail Act does mean we have a limited role, we have been very proactive at sharing our local knowledge and experience with Crossrail and the other organisations involved to address key issues that concern our residents and businesses.”

Matthew White, from Crossrail, added: ”Network Rail and its contractors will be taking all possible measures to make sure that any disruption to local people will be kept to an absolute minimum during the works at Shenfield and Brentwood.

“Crossrail will transform rail services for local people providing new rolling stock, more frequent and reliable services and the ability to travel right through central London without having to change trains.”