She said the council shared residents’ frustration after years of failed attempts to replace the station, which was demolished in 2020. The council has also strengthened its governance framework with operational partners to ensure “transparency and effective decision making” throughout construction. Ms Watson said the tender for the main station building is scheduled between the first and second quarter of this year, with the council anticipating completion in July 2027. The rebuild has been mired in controversy since the original station was demolished without c2c’s formal consent. It later announced a scaled back £10 million scheme, ditching a wider transport interchange in favour of a simpler bus turnaround.