14 July 2026 •
Local rail operator c2c Railway, with the support of the MP for Southend East and Rochford, Bayo Alaba, has officially launched the newly rejuvenated Shoeburyness station gardens.
On Friday 10 July, Bayo Alaba, the Member of Parliament for Southend East and Rochford, formally opened the transformed gardens at c2c’s Shoeburyness station.
Over the past four months, a dedicated team of volunteers – the Shoeburyness Station Garden Volunteers – have worked tirelessly to revitalise the station’s gardens and flowerbeds, creating a bright, colourful and welcoming environment for customers, colleagues, residents and visitors.
Commenting, Bayo Alaba MP, said:
”I was delighted to officially open these wonderful gardens. It’s a lasting tribute to the dedication of the volunteers who have helped make Shoeburyness station an even more welcoming gateway to our community.
“They’re a fantastic example of what community spirit can achieve.”
Speaking at the event, Abu Siddeeq, c2c’s Customer Experience Director, said:
“I’d like to thank our guest of honour, Bayo Alaba, for taking the time from his busy schedule to launch our rejuvenated station gardens and celebrate our fantastic volunteers.
“The Shoeburyness Station Garden Volunteers – Rhona, Martin and Julia – along with their family, friends, residents and local businesses, have put in an enormous amount of time and effort to brighten the station and create a space that feels welcoming for c2c customers, colleagues, local residents and everyone who passes through.
“Their hard work and commitment epitomise the very best of community spirit, and we are incredibly grateful for the support of this special group of people.”
During the launch event, Bayo and Abu presented the volunteers with a commemorative plaque to be placed alongside the station gardens, celebrating the community’s role in bringing the space to life. It reads: ‘These gardens are lovingly cared for by the Shoeburyness Station Garden Volunteers for the people of Shoeburyness.’
c2c Railway – now part of GBR Anglia, which brings together the leadership of c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia under a single, unified structure – would like to place on record its thanks and gratitude to the Shoeburyness Station Garden Volunteers, and we look forward to continuing to work together as we move forward.
Shoeburyness Station Garden Volunteers group member, Rhona Rivers, added:
“I am most grateful to Bayo Alaba MP and Abu Siddeeq for making this launch event so special, and I can’t wait to see the plaque placed beside the gardens for everyone to enjoy.
“I’m extremely proud to have played my part, along with the other volunteers, in turning the previously unloved gardens into a bright, vibrant and welcoming space for the community.
“It’s been hard going at times over the past few months, especially during the recent hot weather, and we wouldn’t have achieved what we have without the support and generosity of local residents, businesses and community groups – many of whom donated flowers.”
Rhona added:
“We look forward to continuing to maintain the gardens, ensuring everyone arriving at Shoeburyness station is greeted with a welcome they won’t forget.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About GBR Anglia
GBR Anglia brings together c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia under one unified leadership team as part of the wider journey towards Great British Railways.
This new structure is part of wider plans to create Great British Railways (GBR), bringing track and train closer together to deliver a better, more joined-up railway for customers and communities in Anglia.
The structure is designed to support closer operational coordination across infrastructure, train services and customer delivery.
Existing ticketing and customer arrangements remain unchanged, and customers will continue to see the current company identities as the railway transitions towards GBR.
The Anglia route serves a fast-growing region, connecting commuters, leisure travellers, ports, power stations and more, as well as Stansted and Southend airports.
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
About DFTO
- DFTO is the government’s public sector rail owning group. Its purpose is to bring all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027.
- The group’s current train operating companies are: c2c, Greater Anglia, LNER, Northern, Southeastern, South Western Railway, TransPennine Express and WM Trains (London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway).
- DFTO runs more than 8,500 services each weekday and delivers more than 660 million customer journeys across its networks every year.
Images
Featured Image: From l-r – Bayo Alaba, Shoebury residents, Abu Siddeeq, Rhona & Martin Rivers
Second Image: Shoeburyness station garden
Third Image: Rhona shows Bayo around the revitalised station gardens
Fourth Image: Bayo and Abu present Rhona of the Shoeburyness Station Garden Volunteers group with a special commemorative plaque