Pupils enjoy tours of two key transport schemes as part of new construction initiative

School pupils were given an exciting glimpse into potential career opportunities in construction with guided tours of two major transport infrastructure projects in Chelmsford.

Groups of year 9 pupils from The Boswells School visited the new Beaulieu Park Station, which will be the first new railway station on the Great Eastern Main Line in more than 100 years when it opens later this year, as well as the site of the first section of Chelmsford North East Bypass (section 1A).

The site visits formed part of Essex County Council’s Building a Lasting Legacy programme and were organised by Jacobs, which designed the bypass scheme and provided specialist rail advice to ECC in developing and designing the new station. Jacobs also worked closely with ECC, through the Essex Highways partnership, to help secure funding for both projects.

The main contractors for the construction of the two projects, J. Murphy and Sons (Beaulieu Park Station) and Octavius Infrastructure (section 1A of the Chelmsford North East Bypass) managed the tours. Pupils were given a behind-the-scenes look at the construction work which has been completed so far, including the new station building and a bridge which will span the new bypass. The contractors also shared the various pathways into the construction industry, introduced some of their early careers staff and provided opportunities for questions.

Olly Smith, Head of Design and Technology at The Boswells School said, "The experience gave the students a great insight into a much-misunderstood area of construction - civil engingeering. All staff were absolutely brilliant and very informative."

Councillor Tony Ball, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “Building a Lasting Legacy is a fantastic initiative that will open doors for many young people in Essex and we are excited to be involved.

“Students who may never have considered a career in construction now have the chance to explore the industry and gain valuable skills for their future. It was great to see Jacobs and Ringway Jacobs support the programme by welcoming the students onto site and helping to facilitate the activity days.

“I thank Jacobs, J. Murphy & Sons and Octavius Infrastructure for their work in putting this together.”

Building a Lasting Legacy is a new initiative spearheaded by Morgan Sindall Construction and Essex County Council.

The five-year programme was launched earlier this year and aims to introduce young people to career opportunities in construction, engineering and infrastructure.

Essex Highways, which is a collaboration between Essex County Council and Ringway Jacobs, along with its shareholders Jacobs and Eurovia, has signed up to support the initiative.

The Chelmsford North East Bypass and new Beaulieu Park Station will provide important infrastructure to support planned housing and economic growth to the north of Chelmsford.

The transformational road and rail upgrade will bring long-awaited improvements to Chelmsford’s transport network and help relieve congestion on local roads in and around the city, ease pressure on Chelmsford Railway Station and provide easier access to the A12 for people travelling from Braintree and surrounding areas.