James Duddridge, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East, today boarded one of the first trains that stopped at Southend Airport into London Liverpool Street.
Today was the first day that trains called at the airport station and James was delighted to be able to travel into London although the visit to the station this morning was brief!
James arrived at the station and was met by Alastair Welch and some local journalists. As James arrived a train was pulling into the station, James had not yet purchased his ticket, but as they train arrived at the platform Alistair advised that there was no ticket operators so James boarded the train without a ticket!
When he arrived at Liverpool Street and spoke to a ticket conductor to purchase a ticket the conductor said that it was the first ticket he had sold from the new station.
James said
“I was excited to be able to get a train from the new airport train station today.
“The train journey this morning was brilliant, and I am sure many passengers and residents will be pleased that this station is now fully operational.
“I also visited the station on Friday with Chris Grayling MP, Minister of State for the Department of Work and Pensions who was delighted with the expansion plans and the new train terminal as this will create more local jobs.”
ENDS