Station code SOC DfT category C1 Opened 1856 | Grid reference TQ881855 Managed by c2c 2011/12 2.086 million Number of platforms 4 | |
![]() | ||
Address Southend-on-Sea SS1 1AB, United Kingdom Similar Southend Victoria railway st, Southend East railway st, West Ham station, Fenchurch Street railway st, Chalkwell railway station |
Southend Central railway station is on the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway line and is one of two primary stations serving the town of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The town's other main station is called Southend Victoria which is the terminus of a branch line off the Great Eastern Main Line. Southend Central is 35 miles 55 chains (57.4 km) down line from London Fenchurch Street via Basildon and it is situated between Westcliff and Southend East. Its three-letter station code is SOC.
Contents
It was opened in 1856 as the original eastern terminus of the line, which was later extended to Shoeburyness. The station and all trains serving it are currently operated by c2c.
Description
Southend Central has four platforms:
Facilities at the station include a partially sheltered bicycle storage rack and a car park. The ticket office has two serving positions, one of which is fully accessible, and uses the Tribute ticket issuing system.
Following the successful refurbishment of Benfleet railway station, c2c implemented a similar project at Southend Central. The work cost £460,000 and was jointly funded by c2c and Southend Borough Council. It involved the complete refurbishment of the ticket office and toilets and the construction of a new forecourt on the north side of the station (leading to platform 2) opposite the University of Essex Southend campus, with new steps and handrails on both sides of the canopy, and a new glass roof and lighting over the bicycle parking area. It was completed in 2007 after around four weeks of work.
When the London Underground's District line operated a seasonal non-stop excursion train service between 1910 and 1939 through to the Southend area, Southend Central was the second station to be called at after leaving Upminster.
Services
The typical off-peak service frequency is: