During the works a bus service will be operating between Stansted Airport and Broxbourne. E-scooters and e-bikes will not be permitted to travel on the rail-replacement buses.
Councillors say they need to push for the train line to be extended to Braintree and Dunmow to prevent people travelling into Bishop’s Stortford just to use the train services.
Easily Accessible
Whether you’re travelling with a stroller or wheelchair, getting to and from Bishops Stortford Station is easy. The platform is a short walk from the ticket hall, and there’s plenty of room to maneuver if you’re bringing along a large amount of luggage.
Greater Anglia’s website features a web-based virtual tour of the entire station that allows people to navigate the space by selecting their destination or using the ‘autopilot’ tool. The tour also has the option to change the audio to close caption or British Sign Language and can be used with mobile devices or a computer.
The station’s south-facing slope from Station Road down to the platforms is a vital pedestrian route, and East Herts Council is taking steps to save it. But it will have to fight a powerful lobby by Solum, a consortium of developers working on a major redevelopment project of the site. So far, over 8,000 people have signed an online petition to reverse the plan.
Convenient Parking
Whether you’re traveling on business or just looking for a convenient way to get around town, there is an option for you at Bishops Stortford Station. The station offers a large car park on Anchor Street with 401 spaces, including 14 electric vehicle chargepoints. There are also 20 Blue Badge spaces and a secure cycle compound.
Parking near Bishops Stortford Station can be difficult, especially during busy periods when the train is most crowded. To save yourself time and money, consider traveling on Saturday as this tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
In addition to the main entrance on Dane Street, there is another entrance for drop-offs and pickups in front of the taxi rank. This location is fenced and monitored by CCTV to prevent ticket evasion. Many locals have reported receiving parking fines when they are simply dropping off or picking up passengers, although these have been appealed. If you do receive a ticket, it is important to know that you can pay it online or by phone.
Variety of Shops and Restaurants
The station is operated by Greater Anglia and offers 10 daily scheduled trains to London. The earliest train departs at 8:00am and the last train leaves at 5:00pm. It is a good idea to book your tickets in advance to ensure availability.
The train station has three platforms, platform 1 is for services towards Stansted Airport and Cambridge, and platform 2 is used by trains towards London Liverpool Street and Stratford. The main entrance is on Dane Street which leads on to Platform 1, with a second entrance on London Road.
There are a variety of restaurants at the station. The Lemon Tree serves modern British cuisine and is located in the historic market square, while Zizzi provides a cosy Italian dining experience for those looking for a more intimate atmosphere. For those wanting to try something a little more exotic, Zara is an Indian restaurant that is sure to please. The town also has a wide selection of bars and pubs to choose from, such as The Railway, which is a popular place to visit with friends after work.
Fun Facts
During times of war countless troops have waved goodbye on the station’s platforms. However, despite its size, it was only bombed once during World War Two when a lone German plane dropped some of its bombs on sidings adjacent to the station which carried trains supplying the nearby airbase at Stansted.
Today the station has three platforms. Platform 1 is used for services towards Stansted Airport and Cambridge, and platform 2 serves the slower trains towards London Liverpool Street and Stratford. Platform 3 is used for services which terminate at Bishops Stortford rather than continuing on to Stansted.
Like much of England, the town has a service-based economy. At the 2011 census, 84.5% of those living in Bishops Stortford declared themselves working in a service industry, which is slightly higher than the figure for East Hertfordshire and England as a whole. It is also significantly higher than the national average. This is largely due to the town’s proximity to London.
