06 October 2025 •
06 October 2025
Rail operator c2c welcomed representatives from businesses and communities across its Essex route and beyond to Basildon for its inaugural Stakeholder Conference last week.
Held at the Towngate Theatre in the town centre on Thursday 2 October, it was a milestone in local train operator c2c Railway’s history, as the first event of its kind.
More than 60 representatives from across the region and the railway industry were brought together for an agenda focusing on the future and development of c2c ahead of the advent of Great British Railways, with updates from Southend United Football Club, Essex Chambers of Commerce and The Purpose Coalition kicking off the day with ‘spotlight slots’ on their collaboration with c2c.
Rob Mullen, c2c Managing Director, said, “This year marked the beginning of a new era for the rail industry, with c2c returning to public ownership in July and a renewed focus on bringing together ‘track and train’. We celebrated this milestone during our inaugural Stakeholder Conference in the heart of one the biggest economies and regeneration areas on our route.
“At c2c we have been talking for some time about the Essex Thameside Study, which gives a roadmap for our railway over the coming decades. It was fantastic to be able to share more about the significant challenges and opportunities that I know we will work together to meet.
“Thank you to our friends and partners who attended this important event in Basildon and who continue to share in our vision for the future of c2c and other travel infrastructure opportunities in the Anglia region, as we look ahead to Great British Railways.”
Councillor Gavin Callaghan, Leader of Basildon Borough Council, who delivered the keynote speech, said, “It was a pleasure to see so many important members of our local and regional communities brought together by c2c’s first Stakeholder Conference in the heart of Basildon.
“The railway has always been and will continue to be a lifeline for our town. Being a transport hub means we can think bigger and build bolder, and I am looking forward to continuing this important partnership with c2c as we look to our future.”
Alongside Network Rail, c2c will soon be launching the Essex Thameside Study, which gives a roadmap for the railway for the next 25 years. The independent study will serve as the cornerstone for future growth, investment, infrastructure upgrades and service improvements for the route. Through the Thameside Taskforce alongside Network Rail, Transport East, businesses and councils, c2c will work to deliver the successful integration of the railway and other travel infrastructure opportunities across the Anglia region.
Jen Craft, Member of Parliament for Thurrock, said, “This event was an important opportunity for stakeholders across Essex to discuss shared priorities for the future of the c2c network, at an exciting time as it begins to operate under public ownership.
“The c2c service plays a vital role in connecting people across our region, particularly to new jobs and opportunities.
“I look forward to continuing to build this partnership with those involved in the rail network, to ensure it delivers for the communities it serves across Thurrock.”
Conference attendees heard presentations from Denise Rossiter, CEO of Essex Chambers of Commerce and Rylee Doe, Commercial & Marketing Manager at Southend United Football Club and Rt Hon. Justine Greening, chair of This is Purpose, Purpose Coalition. Teams from c2c also provided updates on route improvements, how we are enhancing our customer experience and accessibility offering for all, in addition to innovations in crime reduction on the network alongside British Transport Police.
This was followed by an afternoon panel discussion comprised of Jen Craft, MP for Thurrock, Dawn Dines, CEO at Stamp Out Spiking, Andrew Summers, CEO at Transport East, Aida Esposito, Director, Culture, Leisure and Tourism at Southend-on-Sea City Council, Callum Crozier, Joint Managing Director at The Purpose Coalition, This is Purpose, DCI Nia Mellor from British Transport Police, Michael Murrell, Assistant Director Planning, Regeneration & Economic Development at Basildon Borough Council and Natalie Allen, Programme Director at Network Rail.
Images
- Featured Image: Group image with Team c2c and Cllr Gavin Callaghan at Basildon station
- First Image: Katie Southgate CEO, Gold Geese
- Second Image: Lottey Yeates, from the All in Music project, Southend YMCA (@mikkosgrace @wearetriphazard)
- Third Image: Lisa Walton, Lead Fundraiser, Southend YMCA
- Fourth Image: Alice Shimali, Head of Communications, c2c
- Fifth Image: Rt Hon. Justine Greening, This is Purpose, The Purpose Coalition
- Sixth Image: Silviya Barrett, Director of Policy and Campaigns, Campaign for Better Transport
- Seventh Image: Aida Esposito, Director, Culture, Leisure and Tourism at Southend-on-Sea City Council
- Eighth Image: Denise Rossiter, CEO, Essex Chambers of Commerce
- Ninth Image: British Transport Police team at the event
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About c2c
- c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex.
- c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 37.3 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- The operation of all c2c services transferred into public ownership on Sunday 20 July 2025 and is managed by DFTO (DfT Operator Ltd).
- For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net