Network Rail has set out new proposals that would significantly reduce lorry movements in Shenfield and Brentwood town centres as part of the group's Crossrail plan. 

A temporary rail access point at Officers' Meadow has been proposed, which would be situated to the east of Shenfield station. 

Once operational, the scheme would make it possible to reduce Crossrail lorry movements in the two town centres by up to 90 per cent. 

The temporary access track would be around 650m long, and start at the A1203 on Chelmsford Road. It would also require the construction of a temporary working and storage compound. 

Materials and equipment would be delivered to the compound by HGVs, before being transferred onto rail vehicles. 

Crossrail surface director Matthew White said: "We believe that these proposals provide an opportunity to significantly reduce HGV movements in the town centre."