Our proposals
In August 2025, we submitted our application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to build and operate the new Norwich to Tilbury line. It is now being examined by the Planning Inspectorate.
To support the phasing of construction, a separate planning application will be submitted to local planning authorities for some small, localised enabling works. This is a normal approach for many major infrastructure projects.
As part of these applications, plans will be included to reinstate any work we carry out if the DCO is not granted.
We previously consulted on these works while we developed our proposals for the Norwich to Tilbury project. No new or additional works are proposed beyond those set out in the DCO application.
There are 12 in total, and you can view the maps and plans for each in the links below. If you have any comments, please let us know via our usual contact details by 11:59pm on 14 July 2026.
We expect to submit our applications in late July. Once submitted, the local planning authorities will undertake consultations on our plans.
Frequently asked questions
What is a TCPA application?
These are separate planning applications being submitted to local planning authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA). They cover small, localised works that were consulted on and set out within previous consultations but we are looking to start earlier to enable us to make sure some local infrastructure is in place before full construction starts – assuming consent is granted for our Development Consent Order (DCO). This is a normal approach for major infrastructure schemes and will require consent from local authorities.
What are ‘early enabling works’?
Early enabling works are smaller pieces of work that help prepare for main construction. This can include site access, vegetation clearance or utility works. They are designed to help deliver the main project more efficiently if consent is granted.
Are these new proposals?
No. The works were included within the proposals consulted on as part of the Norwich to Tilbury project. The TCPA applications do not introduce new or additional works beyond what has already been presented. We previously consulted on these works while we developed our proposals for the Norwich to Tilbury project. No new or additional works are proposed beyond those set out in the DCO application but as we are proposing to carry these out in advance of main construction, we are seeking separate approval.
What happens if the DCO is not granted?
The TCPA applications include plans to reinstate any works carried out if the main project should not receive consent.
How can people comment on these proposals?
We’ve written to residents potentially impacted by these works but anyone can provide comments. You can do so by emailing or writing to us on our usual contact details before 11:59pm on 14 July 2026.
Provide comments
If you have any comments on our proposed enabling works planning applications, or if you have any questions, please contact us by:
- Freepost: FREEPOST N TO T (no stamp or further details required)
- Email: [email protected]
- Freephone: 0800 915 2497.
The deadline for comments is 11:59pm on 14 July 2026.
The works we are proposing would include:
- Road widening on Wymondham Road
- A temporary construction compound near the junction with Norwich Road (B1113)
- Two site access points on Flordon Road
- Two site access points on Wymondham Road.
The works to widen Wymondham Road would involve clearing vegetation alongside the road, including hedges, and laying a new road surface with passing places. We would add road markings and kerbs, improve drainage, and carry out utility works. If the DCO is consented, Wymondham Road would be a main access route for construction traffic.
We are proposing a temporary construction compound at the junction between Wymondham Road and B113 Norwich Road to support these highway works. This may include a working yard and storage area, parking, offices and staff facilities and would be dismantled and the land reinstated once the enabling works are complete.
We would also establish two site access points on Flordon Road and two on Wymondham Road. These proposed site access points will allow construction traffic to cross public highways and enter the project site. The site access points would be temporary during the construction of Norwich to Tilbury, should consent for the project be granted. They would be removed and the land reinstated with planting replacement once construction is complete.
The works would require alternating temporary closures of Wymondham Road and Flordon Road, with temporary diversions along The Turnpike (B1113), Fundenhall Road (B1135), Norwich Road, and Wymondham Road or Flordon Road, and Norwich Road. There would also be a temporary closure of Bracon Ash Footpath 12 and Flordon Footpath FP1.
To allow construction traffic to safely cross public highways and enter the project sites if DCO is granted, we are proposing to build two temporary site access points on Fundenhall Road. The enclosed map shows where these works would take place.
The temporary site access points would provide access to the project site for construction traffic during the construction of Norwich to Tilbury. They would be removed and the land reinstated with planting once construction is complete.
The works to establish these site access points would involve laying new road surface to widen the junction, as well as clearing vegetation, such as trees and hedgerows, to provide visibility for safe use of the junction. Along with drainage and utility works, we would also add new road markings and install new kerbs at the junction.
While we are building the site access points, we would need to temporarily close a lane on Hapton/Fundenhall Road. This may involve temporary traffic signals or manned stop and go boards. We would work with the highways authority and local authority to agree how we would manage traffic during the lane closures. As part of this, we would seek to minimise disruption for local communities. We would provide updates ahead of any works starting and planned closure information would be shared in advance to help people plan ahead.
The works we are proposing would include:
- A temporary haul road, bypassing Holton St Mary
- A permanent extension and widening of the A12 slip road
- A temporary compound to support these works
- A site access point on the B1070 Hadleigh Road
- Two site access points on Acacia Road
- Two site access points on the B1070, northwest of Holton St Mary.
The temporary haul road would avoid the need for construction traffic for the Norwich to Tilbury project passing through Holton St Mary. This means that construction traffic would leave the B1070 to the east of Holton St Mary and pass north of the village to access the project site.
To improve safety, we are also proposing a permanent extension and widening of the slip road at the A12 junction. A new footpath along the edge of the widened junction will replace the existing footpath. A temporary construction compound would support these enabling works, which are shown on the enclosed map.
Temporary site access points are also proposed to allow construction traffic to cross public highways and enter the project site. There would be one on the B1070 Hadleigh Road, two on Acacia Road and two on the B1070 northwest of Holton St Mary. Once construction is complete, the site access points would be removed and the land reinstated, with new planting.
To support these enabling works, we would a build a temporary compound near the A12 junction. The compound may include a working yard and storage area, parking, offices, and staff facilities. It would be dismantled and the land reinstated once these enabling works are complete.
These enabling works would involve clearing some vegetation, such as trees and hedgerows, to provide visibility for safe use of the junction. A new road surface would be laid at the junction and site access points, with new road markings, kerbs and drainage works undertaken as required. Some of the works may overlap with existing utility lines (including electricity and telecoms lines as well as a water pipeline), along the B10170 and A12 junction. We do not expect that the works would result in interruptions to utility services, however, should this change, we would give advance notice to affected communities.
There would be temporary lane closures to allow us to safely undertake the works to build the site access points and widen the A12 junction. These may involve temporary traffic signals or manned stop and go boards. We would work with the highways authority and local authority to agree how we would manage traffic during the lane closures. As part of this, we would seek to minimise disruption for local communities. We would provide updates ahead of any works starting and planned closure information would be shared in advance to help people plan ahead.
During the enabling works, there would also be a temporary closure of Holton St Mary Footpath 9 and 12 and Holton St Mary Bridleway 15.
The works we are proposing would include:
• A main works compound south of Old Bury Road
• Work on the existing junction off Old Bury Road.
We are proposing to build a main works compound south of Old Bury Road to support construction should consent for the Norwich to Tilbury project be granted. The compound may include a working yard and storage area, parking, offices and staff facilities. It would be dismantled and the land reinstated once construction is complete, with new planting carried out on its location.
As part of these enabling works, we would undertake work on the existing junction off Old Bury Road which would serve as the access point to the construction compound. This would include laying a new road surface to widen the junction.
The compound and site access works would also involve clearing vegetation to enable access and construction activities. While undertaking these works, we would need to temporarily close a lane on Old Bury Road. This may involve temporary traffic signals or manned stop and go boards. We would work with the highways authority and local authority to agree how we would manage traffic during the lane closures. As part of this, we would seek to minimise disruption for local communities. We would provide updates ahead of any works starting and planned closure information would be shared in advance to help people plan ahead.
There would also be a temporary closure of sections of Palgrave Footpath 16 and Burgate Footpath 9 for the duration of these works.
The works we are proposing would include:
• A new permanent access road south of Little Bromley
• Road widening along Bentley Road and Ardleigh Road
• Site access points on Little Bromley Road, Bentley Road and Ardleigh Road
• Three temporary construction compounds
• Permanent extension and widening of the A120 slip road at the junction with Bentley Road.
If consent for Norwich to Tilbury is granted and construction can go ahead, the permanent private access road would be used infrequently for abnormal indivisible loads as part of maintenance during operation of the proposed EACN substation. Building the road would include clearing the site of vegetation and laying new road surface. We would add road markings, kerbs, fencing, and gates, and carry out drainage and utility works. A section of this route may also be used for construction access for the EACN substation, if project traffic were not able at any time to follow the shared construction route with North Falls and Five Estuaries.
We would also build two permanent junctions at either end of the new access road where it would join existing highways, with one on Bentley Road and the other on Ardleigh Road. The works to establish these would involve laying new road surface to widen the junction, as well as clearing vegetation, such as trees and hedgerows, to provide visibility for safe use of the junction.
A temporary highway compound - which may include a working yard and storage area, parking, offices and staff facilities - would be built to support construction of the access road. Once construction is complete, it would be removed and the land reinstated, with new planting.
To help provide safe access to the EACN substation, we are proposing to widen sections of Little Bromley Road and Ardleigh Road where the new permanent access road would join the existing carriageway. A stretch of Bentley Road would also be widened to allow safe access to the new private road. This would involve clearing vegetation alongside the road including hedges, and laying a new, wider road surface. We would add road markings, kerbs, and passing places, and carry out drainage and utility works.
A second temporary highway compound at the junction of Grange Road, Ardleigh Road and Little Bromley Road would support these road works. A site access point on Little Bromley Road would be built to allow construction traffic to access this compound.
To make access to the A120 junction safer and easier, we are proposing to permanently extend (by around 100m), the slip road at its junction with Bentley Road. A temporary highway compound at the junction would support these works, which also include clearing vegetation along the side of the existing carriageway and laying new road surface.
To carry out these works safely we would need a partial closure of Bentley Road and Ardleigh Road. Temporary closures of some sections of Little Bromley Footpaths 7, 13, 14, and 15 would also be needed. Once these works to build the permanent access road and widen the existing carriageway are completed, Little Bromley Footpaths 7, 13, 14, and 15 would be permanently shortened to end where the footpaths would meet the new edge of the road. Little Bromley Footpath 14 would also have a permanent diversion to allow safe crossing of the new permanent access road.
Our proposals for diversions are set out in our Access, Rights of Way and Public Rights of Navigation Plans submitted as part of our DCO application, which can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate’s website, and we expect to follow these plans. We will work with the highways authority and local authority to agree in more detail what closures and diversions would look like. As part of this, we would seek to minimise disruption for local communities. We would provide updates ahead of any works starting and planned closure information would be shared in advance to help people plan ahead.
The works we are proposing would include:
• Two construction compounds on land north of Broad Lane
• A construction compound on land south of Broad Lane
• A haul road to connect these compounds and a site access point on Boxted Road to provide access.
The enclosed map shows where these works would take place.
We are proposing two construction compounds on land north of Broad Lane, as well as a construction compound on land south of Broad Lane, in Great Horkesley.
We are also proposing the construction of a haul road with passing points and entrance roads to the compounds, as well as the installation of a temporary footpath diversion along Broad Lane. The enclosed map shows where these works would take place.
If consent for the project is granted and construction can go ahead, the compounds would be used to support the construction of Norwich to Tilbury, including the construction of the underground cable and the Cable Sealing End compound (where the overhead line would transition to underground cable).
The compounds may include a working yard and storage area, parking, offices and staff facilities. One compound on land north of Broad Lane would also include a concrete batching plant. Once construction of the project is complete, the construction compounds would be dismantled and the land reinstated, with new planting.
Building the haul road with passing points along broad lane and entrance roads to the compounds would allow vehicles to access the site during construction. These works would involve the construction of a permanent junction on Boxted Road / Broad Lane where construction traffic would enter the project site as part of the enabling works. This would involve laying new road surface to widen the junction, as well as clearing limited vegetation to provide visibility for safe use of the junction.
While we are building the site access points, which would also provide access to Cable Sealing End compound proposed as part of Norwich to Tilbury, we would need to temporarily close a lane on Boxted Road. This may involve temporary traffic signals or manned stop and go boards. We would work with the highways authority and local authority to agree how we would manage traffic during the lane closures. As part of this, we would seek to minimise disruption for local communities.
We would provide updates ahead of any works starting and planned closure information would be shared in advance to help people plan ahead.
Great Horkesley Footpaths 49 and 31 would also be temporarily closed for the duration of project construction, with a temporary footpath built along Broad Lane.
To allow construction traffic to safely cross public highways and enter the project sites, we are proposing to build two temporary site access points on Goodmans Lane and Paulk Hall Lane.
The site access would be temporary during the construction of Norwich to Tilbury, should consent for the project be granted.
They would be removed and the land reinstated with planting once construction is complete.
The works to establish these access points would involve laying new road surface to widen the junction, as well as clearing vegetation, such as trees and hedgerows, to provide visibility for safe use of the junction.
Building the access points would require coordinated temporary closures on Goodmans Lane and Paulk Hall Lane. Our proposals for diversions are set out in our Access, Rights of Way and Public Rights of Navigation Plans submitted as part of our DCO application, which can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate’s website, and we expect to follow these plans. We would work with the highway authority and local authority to agree in more detail what closures and diversions would look like.
As part of this, we would seek to minimise disruption for local communities. We would provide updates ahead of any works starting and planned closure information would be shared in advance to help people plan ahead.
Public access to Great and Little Leighs Footpath 40 and Great and Little Leighs Bridleway 42 would be unaffected by the works.
The works we are proposing would include:
• A temporary construction compound off the A131 Braintree Road
• A site access point off the A131 providing access to the compound
• A site access point on the B1008 Essex Regiment Way
• Two site access points on Chatham Hall Lane.
The construction compound and associated accesses would be located off the A131 Braintree Road, and may include a working yard and storage area, parking, offices and staff facilities. A temporary site access would be built to provide access to the compound from the A131. The compound would be used to support the construction of Norwich to Tilbury, should consent be granted.
Another temporary access would be located on the B1008 Essex Regiment Way, with two others on Chatham Hall Lane, to allow construction traffic to cross public highways and enter the project sites.
The works to establish these site access points would involve laying new road surface to widen the junction, as well as clearing vegetation, such as trees and hedgerows, to provide visibility for safe use of the junction.
The works compound and accesses would be removed and the land reinstated once construction is complete.
Temporary lane closures would be required on the A131, B1008, and Chatham Hall Lane while the access points are built. This may involve temporary traffic signals or manned stop and go boards. We would work with the highways authority and local authority to agree how we would manage traffic during the lane closures. As part of this, we would seek to minimise disruption for local communities. We would provide updates ahead of any works starting and planned closure information would be shared in advance to help people plan ahead.
To allow construction traffic to safely cross public highways and enter project construction sites, we are proposing to build two temporary site access points on Chelmsford Road, at Minnow End. The enclosed map shows where these works would take place.
The access points would be temporary during the construction of Norwich to Tilbury, should consent for the project be granted. They will be removed and the land reinstated with planting once construction is complete.
The works to establish these access points would involve laying new road surface to widen the junction, as well as clearing vegetation, such as trees and hedgerows, to provide visibility for safe use of the junction. The footpath along Chelmsford Road in this area would be realigned to follow the junction, with a crossing for the site access provided.
While we are building the access points, we would need to temporarily close a lane on Chelmsford Road. This may involve temporary traffic signals or manned stop and go boards. We would work with the highways authority and local authority to agree how we would manage traffic during the lane closures. As part of this, we would seek to minimise disruption for local communities. We would provide updates ahead of any works starting and planned closure information would be shared in advance to help people plan ahead.
To allow construction traffic to safely cross public highways and enter the project sites, we are proposing to build two temporary site access points on Chignal Road. The enclosed map shows where these works would take place.
The site access would be temporary during the construction of Norwich to Tilbury, should consent for the project be granted. They will be removed and the land reinstated once construction is complete.
The works to establish these site access points would involve laying new road surface to widen the junction, as well as clearing vegetation, such as trees and hedgerows, to provide visibility for safe use of the junction.
While we are building the access points, we would need to temporarily close a lane on Chignal Road. This may involve temporary traffic signals or manned stop and go boards. We would work with the highways authority and local authority to agree how we would manage traffic during the lane closures. As part of this, we would seek to minimise disruption for local communities. We would provide updates ahead of any works starting and planned closure information would be shared in advance to help people plan ahead.
To allow construction traffic to safely cross public highways and enter the project sites, we are proposing to build two temporary site access points on Mashbury Road. The enclosed map shows where these works would take place.
The site accesses would be temporary during the construction of Norwich to Tilbury, should consent for the project be granted. They will be removed and the land reinstated once construction is complete.
The works to establish these site accesses would involve laying new road surface to widen the junction, as well as clearing vegetation, such as trees and hedgerows, to provide visibility for safe use of the junction.
While we are building the site accesses, we would need to temporarily close a lane on Mashbury Road. This may involve temporary traffic signals or manned stop and go boards. We would work with the highways authority and local authority to agree how we would manage traffic during the lane closures. As part of this, we would seek to minimise disruption for local communities. We would provide updates ahead of any works starting and planned closure information would be shared in advance to help people plan ahead.
To allow construction traffic to safely cross public highways and enter the project sites, we are proposing to build two temporary site access points on Roxwell Road. The enclosed map shows where these works would take place.
The site accesses would be temporary during the construction of Norwich to Tilbury, should consent for the project be granted. They will be removed and the land reinstated once construction is complete.
The works to establish these site accesses would involve laying new road surface to widen the junction, as well as clearing vegetation, such as trees and hedgerows, to provide visibility for safe use of the junction.
Temporary lane closures would be required on the A1060 and Vicarage Road while the site accesses are built. This may involve temporary traffic signals or manned stop and go boards. We would work with the highways authority and local authority to agree how we would manage traffic during the lane closures. As part of this, we would seek to minimise disruption for local communities. We would provide updates ahead of any works starting and planned closure information would be shared in advance to help people plan ahead.
There would also be a temporary closure of Roxwell Bridleway 42 during the works.
Document library
In the library below you can view the maps we’ve produced for these enabling works.
- Babergh - Holton St Mary
- Chelmsford 1 - Goodmans Lane
- Chelmsford 2 - Walthams
- Chelmsford 3 - Minnow End
- Chelmsford 4 - Chignal Road
- Chelmsford 5 - Mashbury Road
- Chelmsford 6 - Roxwell Road
- Colchester - Great Horksley
- Mid-Suffolk - Old Bury Road
- South Norfolk 1 - Wymondham Road
- South Norfolk 2 - Fundenhall Road
- Tendring - Ardleigh Road