Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Wickford


Wickford is a town and civil parish in the Basildon district of southern Essex, England, located on the River Crouch about 30 miles (48 km) east of London.
Its population was recorded as 27,524 in the 2021 census, reflecting growth from a small village of around 400 residents in the late 19th century to a modern commuter hub facilitated by the opening of Wickford railway station in 1885, which provides direct services to London Liverpool Street.
The area has evidence of prehistoric, Roman, and Saxon habitation, with archaeological finds including Roman artifacts unearthed at Beauchamps Farm, though it remained largely agricultural until post-World War II expansion driven by housing for displaced Londoners.
Today, Wickford features amenities such as Wickford Memorial Park along the riverbanks and serves as a local market center, with its economy tied to commuting, retail, and proximity to green spaces like Wick Country Park.

History

Prehistoric origins and early settlement

Archaeological excavations at Beauchamps Farm in Wickford uncovered evidence of human occupation dating back to the Late , approximately 1000–800 BCE, including features indicative of early settlement activities. Further discoveries from the site revealed an settlement associated with Belgic tribes, a group present in southeastern prior to conquest, featuring enclosures and artifacts consistent with agrarian and defensive structures around 100 BCE to 43 CE. These findings suggest sporadic prehistoric habitation tied to the fertile lands near the River Crouch, though no large-scale permanent villages have been identified. Roman influence in the Wickford area is evidenced by a multi-phase settlement at Beauchamps Farm, where a temporary military camp was established shortly after the Claudian invasion in 43 CE but quickly abandoned or slighted. Subsequent civilian occupation included timber buildings, a masonry structure possibly part of a villa complex, two wells, and iron-working facilities, indicating a small rural community engaged in agriculture and craft production from the 1st to 4th centuries CE. Pottery and other Roman artifacts recovered support integration into broader provincial networks, though the site shows signs of abandonment or destruction by fire around 380 CE, coinciding with late Roman withdrawal from Britain. No major Roman roads are directly attested in Wickford, but proximity to known routes like those linking Londinium to Camulodunum likely facilitated trade and movement. The name Wickford derives from Old English, first recorded in a Saxon of 995 as Wicford, combining wic (meaning dairy farm, settlement, or associated with a winding feature) and ford (a river crossing), reflecting its origins as a modest Saxon farming locale by the winding River Crouch. By the early medieval period (c. 5th–10th centuries), following the collapse of Roman administration and the establishment of the Kingdom of under Saxon rule, the area transitioned into a dispersed agricultural village focused on and production, with continuity of occupation evident in post-Roman layers at Beauchamps extending into this era. This Saxon-phase laid the foundation for Wickford's enduring role as a rural , with entries in 1086 confirming its status as a valued amid Essex's feudal landscape.

Medieval to industrial development

Wickford functioned as a modest Saxon farming village during the early medieval period, centered on amid the fertile lands of south . Its name, derived from elements signifying a or at a river crossing, first appears in a dated 995 AD, reflecting its agrarian roots tied to livestock and crop production. Following the of 1066, the locality incorporated into the broader manorial system across , where lords held estates comprising lands worked by villeins and freeholders obligated to provide labor, rents, and produce such as , , and sheep. This feudal structure sustained Wickford as an agricultural hub, with open-field systems and communal practices governing cultivation, though specific manorial records for the remain sparse compared to larger estates. The Church exerted significant influence over medieval Wickford's development, as with many Essex parishes, through tithes, moral oversight, and land endowments that reinforced the manorial economy. St. Andrew's Church, with fabric dating to the or earlier, served as a focal point for community rituals and dispute resolution, indirectly shaping agricultural calendars via feast days and ecclesiastical leases. Markets emerged sporadically in the settlement by the late medieval era, facilitating local trade in produce and livestock, positioning Wickford as a minor nodal point between larger centers like and the , though it lacked a formal for weekly markets until later periods. This agrarian orientation persisted with minimal disruption through the early modern centuries, yielding self-sufficient farming communities reliant on mixed arable-pastoral systems. By the early , Wickford remained a quintessential agricultural village, its population enumerated at 402 residents in , concentrated in dispersed farmsteads and a compact core. The advent of rail infrastructure in the late catalyzed the shift toward industrial-era expansion; construction of the Shenfield-to-Wickford commenced in mid-1885, with freight services initiating on November 19, 1888, enhancing the transport of agricultural goods to markets and inverting traditional rural . This spurred residential and growth, diversifying the beyond farming toward proto-commuter , as improved drew workers from the metropolis seeking amid 's countryside. Population swelled from these mid-century baselines, marking Wickford's metamorphosis into a burgeoning by the opening years of the , though heavy industrialization eluded the area in favor of lighter trade and .

Governance and administrative evolution

Wickford's local administration originated with the formation of a in 1894, established to address the needs of a growing transitioning from a small village. This body managed community affairs until , when interwar prompted structural changes, including amalgamation with adjacent parishes to form an urban district framework better suited to expanding commuter demands. By the mid-20th century, Wickford's governance aligned with Urban District Council, which directed reconstruction efforts, including housing expansions and infrastructure enhancements to accommodate population influxes from overspill policies. This arrangement facilitated coordinated planning, such as outline developments reviewed in the late 1960s, emphasizing efficient land use amid rapid suburbanization. Under the Local Government Act 1972, Urban District was reorganized into District Council (elevated to borough status in 2010) effective 1 April 1974, subsuming Wickford without a separate tier and centralizing services at the borough level. For decades, direct borough oversight prevailed, but sustained local advocacy for enhanced representation culminated in the Basildon Borough (Reorganisation of Community Governance) Order 2021, establishing Wickford Town Council on 16 May 2022 to handle devolved functions like community facilities and events while remaining subordinate to the borough authority.

Military history and American relations

During the First World War, Wickford gained historical significance in aerial combat when, on May 19, 1918, a bomber from Kagohl 3 was shot down in flames near the town by pilots Lieutenant Fred Banks and Captain Hackwill of No. 44 Squadron, , marking the first enemy aircraft downed over British soil by British day fighters. The wreckage crashed at Dollyman's Farm, with the three crew members killed; the site later featured memorials, including one constructed from aircraft propellers dedicated to British pilots lost in a separate nearby. Pre-World War II military activity in Wickford included an internment camp established for enemy aliens, operational prior to 1939, reflecting early defensive preparations against potential fifth-column threats. Archaeological evidence also points to a Roman military marching camp at Beauchamps Farm, later overlaid by a villa, indicating ancient use of the area for temporary troop encampments. In World War II, Wickford hosted a British Army camp constructed on land adjacent to the current Wickford Fire Station site at the corner of Hyde Way, serving as a base for troops amid regional defensive operations, though specific units stationed there remain undocumented in primary records. The town was selected for a full-scale Air Raid Precautions exercise, drawing volunteer wardens from surrounding areas to simulate emergency responses. While no dedicated RAF or USAAF airfield operated directly in Wickford, the locality's proximity to Essex's extensive network of American bomber bases—such as Andrews Field (USAAF Station 485) approximately 30 miles northwest—facilitated incidental interactions between local residents and U.S. servicemen, including social exchanges common across the county where over 50,000 USAAF personnel were based by 1944. Post-war, remnants of military infrastructure in Wickford were repurposed for civilian use, with the WWII army camp site integrated into community facilities like the , symbolizing the transition from wartime mobilization to peacetime development; limited records suggest some U.S. servicemen from regional postings formed lasting ties with locals, though quantitative data on settlements specific to Wickford is absent.

World War II and immediate aftermath

During , Wickford experienced multiple air raids, primarily as a spillover from attacks on , with German aircraft jettisoning unexploded ordnance over the town on return flights. The Brentwood division, encompassing Wickford, recorded 228 air raid incidents between May 25, 1940, and December 3, 1944, though 111 caused no damage or casualties and 21 were attributed to non-enemy actions. Notable strikes included nine high-explosive bombs on November 23, 1940, at the London Road and Road junction, which blocked the road for eight days, damaged gas and sewer mains, slightly affected four houses, and ignited 20 incendiary bombs in nearby fields, with no casualties reported. A Dornier crashed in Wickford on September 7, 1940, between De Beauvoir Chase and a railway bridge, killing one crew member. Later raids inflicted heavier tolls: on June 17, 1944, three civilians died, four suffered serious injuries, 16 had slight injuries, and 70 were made homeless; on December 3, 1944, eight serious and 16 slight injuries occurred alongside the demolition of two bungalows, serious damage to six properties, and slight damage to 130 others. Local defenses included air raid precaution (ARP) measures, with Wickford selected for a full-scale exercise involving volunteer wardens from neighboring areas. Residents relied on Anderson and Morrison shelters, as recounted in wartime accounts of enduring raids in makeshift underground protections. The 1st Battalion, Essex Home Guard, headquartered in Wickford and affiliated with the Essex Regiment, conducted patrols and training to counter potential threats, prioritizing civilian evacuation support in invasion scenarios. Food rationing, enforced via books issued to all households—green for children and fawn for adults—impacted local , which shifted toward increased production of staples like and cereals to meet national demands, though specific Wickford farm outputs remained constrained by labor shortages and material limits. In the immediate period from 1945 to 1950, Wickford focused on repairing bomb-damaged , including roads, utilities, and housing, amid broader recovery efforts. A wartime army camp near the , housing troops before D-Day, transitioned into a temporary as military presence diminished. Economic shifts involved and the gradual easing of , though food controls persisted until 1954, sustaining local farming's emphasis on self-sufficiency. Population influx from , drawn by Wickford's links, began accelerating suburban development, laying groundwork for post-austerity expansion despite lingering material shortages.

The 1958 flood and recovery

On the evening of September 5, 1958, Wickford experienced severe flooding when the River Crouch burst its banks following a intense and torrential rainfall, marking the fifth such overflow that year. This event, exacerbated by runoff from higher ground between and Downham as well as inadequate drainage from nearby New Town development, saw floodwaters reach up to eight feet in some streets, rapidly inundating homes, shops, and schools. The town's location in the natural of the River Crouch amplified the vulnerability, with prior summer floods highlighting insufficient preparedness despite ongoing housebuilding that increased . Impacts included widespread property damage estimated in hundreds of thousands of pounds, with residents trapped in homes and infrastructure like roads and a marooned bus submerged; no fatalities occurred, though emergency rescues involved police using dinghies. The flooding prompted local protests dubbed "Flood Town" demonstrations, reflecting frustration over repeated inundations and perceived neglect by authorities. Community cleanup efforts followed swiftly, with residents demonstrating resilience by resuming daily activities amid the debris. Recovery involved immediate local action and longer-term engineering interventions. The Essex River Board prepared a flood control scheme for the River Crouch valley, including Wickford, which was reviewed in late November 1958 and submitted for ministerial approval to mitigate future risks. Ultimately, the river was encased in a concrete drain to channel waters and prevent overflows, addressing the systemic drainage deficiencies exposed by the event. This infrastructural upgrade marked a shift from reactive measures to proactive flood defense, though it underscored earlier governmental delays in responding to the area's floodplain realities.

Post-war social developments including naturism

In the years following World War II, Wickford's social fabric reflected national patterns of gradual liberalization amid economic recovery and suburban expansion, with residents engaging in leisure pursuits that emphasized communal outdoor activities. Local recollections highlight a shift toward informal gatherings and youth-oriented discussions on emerging lifestyles, though quantitative data on participation remains scarce. Naturism, practiced as non-sexual communal nudity for health and recreational purposes, saw a localized revival in Wickford during the and , building on the town's pre-war pioneering role. The Sunshine Club, situated on Castledon Road, operated as a private naturist venue run by a married couple, attracting a select group of members for sunbathing and social events in line with broader trends toward body acceptance post-austerity. This club emerged amid a national uptick in naturist organizations, influenced by wartime experiences that fostered desires for natural reconnection and exposure benefits, though empirical studies on local health outcomes are absent. The club's activities remained discreet, confined to private land to comply with indecency laws, and did not permeate wider institutions, facing implicit conservative rooted in prevailing norms of and concerns over exposure in semi-rural settings. Anecdotal accounts from the suggest awareness among local through playground talk, but no verified membership figures exist, underscoring naturism's marginal status relative to dominant social structures like or sports clubs. Proponents cited causal links to post-war psychological relief from and , yet critics, including precedents, emphasized risks of public offense without endorsing unsubstantiated moral panics.

Geography and environment

Topography and physical features

Wickford occupies a position in the low-lying claylands of southern , characterized by gently undulating terrain that slopes towards the River Crouch valley. Elevations in the area range from near in the river to approximately 30 meters above (AOD) on higher ground, with an average elevation of 27 meters. The underlying geology consists primarily of the Eocene Formation, a thick sequence of marine clay deposits that form heavy, slowly permeable soils prone to water retention. Alluvial sediments overlay these clays along the River Crouch and its tributaries, creating deeper, stoneless soils in the valley bottom. Colluvial head deposits occur on lower slopes, contributing to the varied soil profile that influences local drainage and land use patterns. The River Crouch, a meandering watercourse flowing eastward, defines much of Wickford's southern boundary and shapes its physical landscape through floodplain features and associated drainage ditches. This riverine context, combined with the flat to gently sloping claylands, has historically constrained development to higher, more stable ground while preserving rural fringes within the metropolitan green belt.

Wick Country Park

Wick Country Park, spanning 50 acres (20 hectares) of former agricultural land on the edge of Wickford, was developed by Borough Council as a public recreation space from land historically part of , which had been used for grazing and until the late . Landscaping commenced in 2001, with the park officially opening to the public in December 2002 following the excavation of its central lake and establishment of trails. The site's transformation preserved historical elements like Second World War-era pillboxes while introducing natural features to enhance accessibility and ecological value in a densely populated . Key features include over 2 kilometers of easy-access walking trails ranging from 0.5 to 2 miles, winding through open meadows, old hedgerows, and recent woodland plantings, with new bridges and boardwalks crossing Brook. The 5-acre lake, completed and stocked with fish by 2008, supports and features marginal reeds for habitat, complemented by ponds and an adventure play area for families. A serves as a visitor hub, and the park operates daily from 9 a.m. until , with free car parking available off Tresco Way. Managed by Borough Council's Parks and Countryside Services Team, the park benefits from volunteer support via the Friends of Country Park group, which publishes the biannual Skylarks and undertakes initiatives like pond renovations funded through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. As a designated Local Wildlife Site, it hosts recorded including bats roosting in pillboxes and various bird species, with ongoing scrub clearance and wildlife monitoring to balance recreational pressures such as occasional fly-tipping against preservation. The park serves as a vital green lung for local residents, promoting outdoor activity amid suburban expansion without compromising its core ecological and leisure functions.

Climate and flood risks

Wickford experiences a temperate maritime climate typical of southeast England, characterized by mild temperatures and moderate rainfall distributed throughout the year. Average annual precipitation measures approximately 600 mm, with the wettest month being October, recording around 50 mm of rain. Summer highs average 21–23 °C in July, while winter lows hover around 2–4 °C in January and February, with overcast conditions prevalent from November to February. This climate pattern, driven by Atlantic weather systems rather than long-term anthropogenic trends, contributes to episodic heavy rainfall events that elevate local flood potential, though variability aligns with historical norms observed in regional meteorological records. The town's low-lying topography and proximity to the River Crouch place significant portions of Wickford at of fluvial and flooding, particularly during prolonged or intense rainfall. assessments indicate that 1,558 residential properties face a 1% annual probability of flooding from , while areas along the lie within Flood Zone 2 for river flooding, denoting a medium to high . Post-1958 interventions, including river channel improvements in Wickford, have elevated flood protection standards from a 1-in-5-year event to a 1-in-100-year event, demonstrably reducing frequency and severity of inundations through structural measures like embankments and straightened channels. Current monitoring shows river levels at Wickford typically range between 0.02 m and 1.67 m, with warnings issued only during exceedances, underscoring the efficacy of these interventions over reliance on predictive models prone to overstatement. Empirical data from the past decades reveal no acceleration in events beyond natural variability tied to precipitation peaks, prioritizing targeted as the primary causal factor in .

Neighbouring settlements

Wickford borders the village of Runwell immediately to the north, separated by the administrative divide between District and District, yet linked through longstanding community organizations such as the Wickford and Runwell Parish, which coordinates local historical preservation and events spanning both areas. This proximity has fostered shared demographic patterns, with Runwell's smaller population of approximately 1,200 residents contributing to Wickford's extended residential catchment and influencing housing pressures along the A132 corridor. To the west, the Basildon urban agglomeration extends roughly 7 kilometres away, with Wickford integrated into Basildon Borough since its designation as a new town in 1948, resulting in boundary overlaps that accommodate population spillovers from Basildon's denser core of over 187,000 inhabitants as of the 2021 . Southeastward, Rayleigh lies about 6 kilometres distant, forming a contiguous built-up area within the Rayleigh and Wickford parliamentary constituency created in 2010, where cross-settlement migrations have driven Wickford's expansion as a semi-rural buffer amid Rayleigh's market-town growth to around 30,000 residents. These adjacencies have prompted cooperative boundary reviews, though no documented historical rivalries exist; instead, has emphasized integrated service zones to manage spillover effects on Wickford's development.

Demographics

Population growth and trends

Wickford's population expanded markedly from a modest base of around 400 residents in the late , reflecting its transition from a rural village to a developed facilitated by infrastructure improvements such as . By the early , this figure had surpassed 1,000, with sustained increases tied to regional and housing availability in the district. Census records indicate steady modern growth: 24,640 in 2001, rising to 26,378 in 2011 (a 7.0% increase), and reaching 27,524 by 2021 (a 4.4% rise over the decade). This pattern aligns with broader trends, where net migration has accounted for approximately 74% of gains in recent decades, driven by internal movements rather than natural increase alone. Projections for the encompassing borough suggest continued expansion, with the working-age expected to grow by 9.8% from 2018 to 2040, implying proportional rises in Wickford amid ongoing housing pressures and commuter appeal. The borough's total is forecasted to reach 192,537 by 2025, supporting localized uptrends without reversal indicators.

Ethnic composition and socioeconomic profile

In the 2021 United Kingdom census, Wickford's population of 27,537 was overwhelmingly , accounting for 93.3% (25,695 residents), predominantly White British given the town's historical homogeneity and low immigration rates in commuter belts. Asian residents formed 2.2% (617), residents 1.9% (511), mixed ethnic groups 2.1% (567), with negligible (17) and other ethnic (130) populations; this composition reflects limited diversification compared to urban centers, where non-White shares exceed 20%. Socioeconomically, Wickford aligns with middle-income suburban profiles, with median household income in the encompassing and Wickford area at £47,733 annually, supporting stable family-oriented communities. Employment rates for ages 16-64 in borough, which includes Wickford, stood at 74.9%, with unemployment at 4.6%, indicative of robust local labor participation driven by proximity to and hubs rather than welfare dependency. Deprivation indices reveal Wickford's relative affluence; wards like and Wickford rank among Essex's least deprived (position 1 out of key areas in 2019 IMD assessments), with low scores in , , and domains, fostering without the integration strains seen in higher-diversity locales where ethnic enclaves correlate with elevated social tensions. This ethnic uniformity, rooted in organic patterns rather than policy-driven migration, correlates with lower and higher trust metrics typical of homogeneous suburbs.

Economy

Traditional industries and employment

Prior to the 20th century, Wickford's economy centered on , with the majority of residents deriving their livelihood from farming on the fertile lands surrounding the village. As a of Saxon origin, it exemplified typical rural Essex communities where arable and pastoral farming dominated, supported by the local soil and proximity to rivers like the Crouch for drainage and transport. Wickford functioned as a , serving as a key trading hub for agricultural produce and goods exchanged between the River Thames and River Crouch regions, with buyers and sellers converging from surrounding areas. The opening of the station on January 1, 1889, bolstered this role by improving connectivity to and Southend, facilitating the transport of farm outputs and enhancing local commerce without immediately displacing agrarian employment. Supplementary to farming, small-scale emerged, notably exploiting local clay deposits for production of bricks such as stocks, which employed laborers in and firing processes documented in mid-20th-century recollections. These operations, active from at least the late , provided seasonal or alternative work for farmhands during off-periods, though they remained secondary to . By the mid-20th century, traditional employment in farming and related trades declined amid the agricultural depression of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, compounded by the Industrial Revolution's pull toward urban opportunities and Wickford's integration into the London commuter belt via rail expansion. This shift accelerated as post-war urbanization converted farmland to housing, reducing the proportion of agricultural workers as the population grew from around 400 in the late 19th century to a larger commuter base, eroding the village's agrarian foundation through land reallocation and mechanization.

Modern economic sectors

Wickford's economy in the has shifted toward service-oriented activities, mirroring patterns in the broader district where it resides. In 2023, Basildon's largest employment sectors included public services (25,200 jobs), professional and business services (23,400 jobs), and distribution, hotels, and restaurants (22,100 jobs, encompassing ). These sectors account for over half of the district's approximately 122,300 jobs, indicating a dominance of services over traditional , which employed 15,800 workers. A key feature is the commuter economy, with substantial outward migration for work facilitated by rail connections to . Nearly 50% of Basildon borough's working population is employed locally, implying the remainder, including many from Wickford, commute to destinations such as for professional opportunities in , IT, and other high-value services. The service sector's prominence locally supports and in Wickford's town center, where shops and eateries cater to residents and visitors, though these face competition from larger regional centers. Unemployment remains relatively low, with Basildon's claimant count rate at 3.7% in March 2024 and rising slightly to 3.9% by November 2024, below national averages but above the Essex regional benchmark. persists in peripheral areas, contributing to and roles, but overall lags behind London-centric , underscoring reliance on for higher earnings.

Recent infrastructure investments

In September 2025, Basildon Council approved a £1.3 billion AI data centre development on green belt land adjacent to the A127 and Old Nevendon Road in Wickford, developed by Caineal. The project is projected to generate over 600 construction jobs and 120 permanent high-skilled positions, contributing to the UK's digital infrastructure expansion and local economic growth through direct investment exceeding £1 billion. As part of Wickford's town centre regeneration efforts, construction on the rebuild of Wickford railway station commenced in September 2025, with completion anticipated by autumn 2026. The £4 million project, funded by the , replaces a ticket office demolished in 2020 and enhances station facilities to support increased commuter traffic and economic connectivity. These upgrades facilitate better integration with rail services, promoting business activity and reducing reliance on for workforce mobility. Ongoing housing developments, including approval for 302 new homes and a on Wickford's outskirts in October 2025, are expected to expand the local population and stimulate demand for services, thereby supporting and sectors. Such expansions address housing shortages while fostering economic vitality through increased , though they necessitate balancing strains against job and revenue gains from growing households.

Local government and politics

Administrative structure and governance

Wickford falls under England's two-tier framework, with serving as the upper-tier authority responsible for services such as education, social care, highways, and strategic across the county. Borough Council acts as the district-level authority, managing functions including housing, , facilities, and for the , which encompasses Wickford alongside and . At the parish level, Wickford Town was established on 16 May 2022 through a Community Reorganisation Order issued by Borough Council, granting it powers devolved for hyper-local matters such as community facilities, recreation grounds, allotments, and footpath maintenance. The council comprises 20 elected town councillors representing defined wards within Wickford, with decision-making delegated in part to committees and the town clerk under a formal scheme outlining responsibilities like policy implementation and administrative oversight. Elections for occur periodically, with councillors serving terms aligned to local polls; the inaugural elections followed the 2022 formation. For Borough Council representation, Wickford spans wards including Wickford North, Wickford Park, and Wickford South, where councillors are elected by thirds every year except one in a four-year cycle, as demonstrated by the 26 June 2025 in Wickford Park ward. Fiscal responsibilities are segmented: and levy the bulk of for their services, while raises a precept—a dedicated portion of the bill from local residents—to fund its limited operations, such as maintaining playgrounds and supporting community events, without independent borrowing powers beyond precept income. This structure has faced scrutiny amid Essex-wide proposals for reorganisation by September 2025, aiming to consolidate authorities into fewer unitary bodies to reduce administrative layers and enhance efficiency, though Wickford's status emphasizes localized control. Borough Council's annual governance statements highlight ongoing efforts to streamline operations post its 2022 shift to a leader-and-cabinet model, yet multi-tier arrangements contribute to coordination challenges in service delivery.

Key policies and local debates

Basildon Borough Council, which administers Wickford, has pursued policies allowing limited development to accommodate , sparking debates over environmental preservation versus job creation. In its draft local plan published earlier in 2025, the Labour-led council proposed significant housing and infrastructure expansions in areas including Wickford, prompting parliamentary scrutiny on June 20, 2025, for potentially undermining integrity covering over 6,590 hectares in the borough. A focal point of contention was the council's approval on September 26, 2025, of a £1.3 billion AI data centre by developer Caineal on 1.8 hectares of land adjacent to the A127 and Old Nevendon Road near Wickford. Wickford Town Council opposed the project, arguing it contravened protections and risked merging urban areas of and Wickford through sprawl, while councillors cited "very special circumstances" including projected economic gains like thousands of and operational . The decision aligned with pro-growth advocates' emphasis on leveraging for long-term fiscal returns, though critics highlighted unproven offsets and potential strain on local resources without immediate empirical validation of net benefits. Fiscal debates in the center on balancing conservative budgeting with needs, as evidenced by the council's 2025-29 Corporate prioritizing delivery amid rising costs. Conservatives, who have influenced past budgets, secured balanced General Fund approvals for 2024/25 without tax hikes, advocating restraint to avoid deficits, while policies face critique for overruns like over £1 million in additional expenses in 2024 due to operational failures. Annual budget consultations, including the 2025 launch, solicit resident input on spending priorities, reflecting tensions between fiscal prudence—favoring deficit reduction and efficient allocation—and expansionary approaches to fund growth initiatives like the data centre, with outcomes measured by sustained employment gains rather than equitable distribution claims.

Transport

Railway infrastructure

Wickford railway station, located on the Shenfield–Southend line, opened to passengers on 1 January 1889 under the . The initial service included the first departing at 7:37 a.m., operated by driver Mr. Pollock and guard Mr. Sparrow. Originally equipped for both passenger and goods traffic, the station's freight facilities, including sidings, supported local industry until their conversion to a passenger car park in later decades. The station provides services on the London–Southend line, with trains connecting to Liverpool Street in 30 to 40 minutes via local stopping services that interface with faster routes at Shenfield. Journeys to Southend Victoria take around 20 minutes. In the 2023/2024 , the station handled 1,717,462 passenger entries and exits, reflecting its role as a key commuter hub for residents traveling to . To address growing demand and replace facilities lost after the demolition of the original station building in 2021, construction on a comprehensive upgrade commenced in September 2025. The project, funded by the and executed by in partnership with Walker Construction, includes a new ticket office, enhanced waiting areas, accessible toilets, a platform awning, and improved vending machines, with completion slated for autumn 2026. These enhancements aim to increase capacity and reliability, bolstering the station's contribution to regional connectivity amid rising usage trends.

Bus and public transport

First Essex operates the majority of bus services in Wickford, with supplementary routes provided by NIBS Buses. Principal interurban links include route 25 to Southend via and to , route 10 to Basildon Hospital and Shotgate, and route 13 to . Service frequencies vary by route and time; for instance, route 25 provides departures from Wickford's Swans interchange to approximately every 20 minutes during peak hours on weekdays. Local extensions, such as NIBS route 14 to area, operate on reduced schedules, typically hourly or less outside peak periods. Adult single fares on First Essex routes rose to a maximum of £3 from January 1, 2025, following the end of the national £2 cap, with shorter local journeys starting at £1.50; multi-operator day tickets like PlusBus for Wickford cover unlimited local travel for £5.10. Bus infrastructure improvements include forecourt enhancements at Wickford station completed by , adding an exit lane at the Station Approach junction to facilitate smoother bus access and reduce congestion for departing services. These align with the county's Bus Service Improvement Plan, which prioritizes network reviews for frequency and accessibility amid ongoing recovery in ridership, though bus journeys remain below pre-2020 levels and persists in suburban locales like Wickford.

Roads and connectivity

Wickford's road network is anchored by the A127 Southend Arterial Road, a primary east-west route connecting the town to via the M25 and to eastward, facilitating commuter and freight movement across south . The A132 provides north-south linkage from the A127 at the Nevendon Interchange to town center, serving as the main access artery for Wickford's residential and commercial zones. This interchange, a signal-controlled , handles high volumes of traffic but is prone to delays due to its configuration and proximity to industrial areas. Traffic congestion on the A127 near Wickford peaks during morning rush hours, with journey times between the M25 and local junctions extending up to four times off-peak durations in severe cases, driven by patterns and goods vehicle flows exceeding 13,000 heavy vehicles at monitored points annually. Manual traffic counts on the A127 in the vicinity recorded over 61,000 all-motor vehicles on sampled days in 2024, underscoring the corridor's role in regional economic activity while highlighting capacity strains that correlate with delayed local development. The A132 extension into Wickford similarly faces bottlenecks, particularly where it intersects minor roads, limiting efficient goods distribution and residential access. Cycling connectivity relies on fragmented paths integrated into Essex's broader , with dedicated lanes along segments of the A132 and secondary routes like those linking to Shotgate, though continuity is limited by and railway barriers. These facilities support utilitarian travel but require crossings over major roads like the A127 for full integration, where gaps reduce overall for non-motorized users. Enhanced signage and segregated paths in planning phases aim to leverage road access for sustainable mobility, tying improved to population-supported growth without over-reliance on vehicular expansion.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

The Wickford Church of England School, a voluntary aided for children aged 2 to 7, enrolls approximately 140 pupils with a capacity of 165. It received an Outstanding rating from in its September 2023 inspection, with particular strengths in quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and early years provision. Wickford , a community school serving ages 4 to 11, has around 523 pupils and maintains a student-teacher of 21:1. Its January 2023 Ofsted inspection graded it Good overall, noting effective curriculum delivery and positive pupil behaviour, though with areas for improvement in supporting disadvantaged pupils. and Grange Primary School also operate as state-funded primaries in Wickford for ages 4 to 11, each rated Good by , focusing on foundational skills amid local enrollment pressures from housing growth. Secondary education in Wickford is provided by state comprehensive schools, including The Bromfords School and Beauchamps High School, both co-educational and serving ages 11 to 18 with sixth forms. The Bromfords School, an academy converter with 1,118 pupils against a capacity of 1,260, was rated Requires Improvement by in October 2024, citing inconsistencies in teaching quality despite improvements in pupil safety and culture. Beauchamps High School, enrolling about 1,470 pupils, earned a Good rating in January 2025, praised for strong progress in English and mathematics and a supportive environment for diverse needs.

Further education and attainment levels

Students in Wickford typically pursue at nearby institutions such as South Essex College's Basildon campus, located approximately 5 miles away and accessible via frequent train services from Wickford station, offering vocational courses including BTECs, NVQs, and T-Levels in fields like digital technologies and . Other options include USP College's Seevic campus in , about 7 miles distant, which provides A-Levels, vocational qualifications, and higher education pathways. These colleges serve the district, where Wickford resides, emphasizing practical skills aligned with local industries rather than solely academic routes. Apprenticeship programs are readily available for Wickford residents through Essex County Council initiatives and private employers, covering sectors such as , IT, and , with opportunities listed on platforms like Totaljobs showing over 40 local vacancies as of 2025. These programs combine with qualifications up to Level 7, supported by providers like DEBUT Training Academy for and related trades. Attainment levels at in , encompassing Wickford, lag behind national averages, with 2023 Office for data identifying as the large town with the lowest overall in , reflecting persistent challenges in core subjects like English and maths. At , Wickford's Bromfords School reported a 100% pass rate in 2025, with 31% of grades at and 69% at A*-C, alongside strong vocational outcomes where 70% achieved top grades. Essex-wide, attainment mirrors the national average at around 4.96 in English and maths for 2021, though post-16 disadvantage gaps remain at 3.5 equivalent grades, exceeding the UK's 3.1. Socioeconomic factors strongly correlate with these outcomes in , where higher deprivation indices align with lower pass rates, as evidenced by consistent UK-wide patterns where family income and parental education predict up to 95% stability in primary-to-secondary attainment disparities over decades. Despite equity interventions like funding, gaps have not narrowed significantly, with 's 16-19 phase showing minimal closure compared to merit-based predictors of performance. This underscores causal links to family background over school-level inputs alone, as localized studies in confirm limited impacts from increased per-pupil spending on closing socioeconomic divides.

Culture and media

Local media outlets

The principal local newspaper serving Wickford is the Basildon Echo, a daily publication under Media Group that reports on district-wide issues including council policies, crime, and infrastructure developments specific to Wickford. Its coverage extends to online platforms, where Wickford-specific articles appear regularly, such as reports on local policing operations and transport disruptions as of October 2025. Complementing broader district reporting, the Wickford Town News Magazine, produced by CommunityAd and distributed bi-monthly to households since at least 2020, emphasizes hyper-local content like planning applications, community group activities, and resident achievements, with a circulation targeted at approximately 10,000 homes in Wickford and nearby areas. This publication maintains a print focus amid declining newspaper sales, though digital versions are available online. Local radio options include Phoenix FM, broadcasting on 98.0 and digital radio across south-east —including Wickford, , and —with hourly bulletins, updates, and interviews reaching an estimated audience of over 100,000 listeners weekly in the region as of 2023. Gateway 97.8 , a volunteer-run station based in , provides niche programming such as talk shows on matters and has covered Wickford topics like station renovations since its inception in 2015. (95.3 ) offers broader regional with occasional Wickford segments, but its publicly funded model prioritizes county-level stories over town-specific ones. For accessibility, the Wickford & District Talking Newspaper, a volunteer-operated service since the 1980s, produces weekly audio recordings of articles sourced primarily from the Basildon Echo and former Wickford & Gazette, distributed free to over 200 visually impaired residents via USB or . Post-2010s digital transitions have seen these outlets shift toward online-first models; for instance, the Echo's traffic surged with mobile access, enabling real-time Wickford updates during events like the 2025 railway station rebuild contracts, though print editions have contracted amid national newspaper circulation declines from 12 million daily in 2010 to under 6 million by 2023. Local reporting on contentious issues, such as housing expansions, has drawn critiques for aligning closely with statements without robust counterarguments, potentially reflecting resource constraints in understaffed newsrooms rather than overt ideological bias.

Cultural events and community life

Wickford hosts an annual town , typically held in , featuring a that starts at around midday and proceeds through , drawing participants and spectators for its procession of floats and community representations. The event, marking its 106th year in 2025, involves local groups selecting a carnival court to serve as ambassadors, promoting through attendance at related festivities. Weekly markets form a staple of local commerce and social interaction, with Wickford Market operating every from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Market Lane, offering fresh produce, handmade crafts, and goods from local traders under management by Love Markets Ltd in partnership with the town council. Seasonal variants, such as the Spooky Halloween Market on November 1 and occasional extensions in , enhance these gatherings by integrating themed stalls and family-oriented activities. Community life revolves around diverse volunteer-led groups, including Basildon Community Transport for resident mobility support, gardening and art clubs for creative pursuits, organizations for youth development, a foodbank addressing local needs, and the Wickford Wildlife Society focused on environmental . These entities foster social ties without specific quantitative participation metrics publicly detailed for Wickford, though broader borough data indicates moderate civic involvement aligned with averages for and neighborhood activities. Historically, Wickford's vicinity hosted Britain's inaugural naturist club in 1924, known as the Moonella Group or "The Camp," which operated until 1926 and emphasized non-sexual for and , influencing early discussions of lifestyles in local lore but leaving no verifiable ongoing traditions.

Leisure facilities and sports

Wickford Swim and Fitness Centre, operated by Everyone Active, provides a 25-metre , with cardio and resistance equipment, and group classes including aquaerobics and circuits. The centre supports swim lessons for all ages and promotes community health through accessible memberships. Wickford Club, established in 1887, fields adult, junior, and ladies' teams across multiple leagues, with facilities including a , changing rooms, and artificial nets at its home ground. The club emphasizes a welcoming environment for recreational and competitive play, hosting matches against local and visiting teams, such as the Lucky Stars Transplant team in June 2025. Football is prominent through Wickford Town , a registered founded in 1969, offering teams from mini-soccer to adult levels at Bartlett Park on Southend Road. The club focuses on safe, managed participation for diverse abilities, including girls' and ladies' sections via affiliated groups like Wickford & Runwell United . Wickford Lawn Club, based at Patmore Memorial Sports Ground in adjacent Runwell, maintains outdoor courts for members and visitors, supporting league play and coaching sessions. Additional options include Runwell Sports & , which features pitches alongside indoor activities like and fitness classes. Community coaching providers, such as Jack Of All Sports, deliver multi-sport sessions for children during holidays and school terms.

Urban development and controversies

The Master Plan objectives and framework

The Wickford Town Centre Masterplan, drafted in 2005 by Borough Council and adopted as a Supplementary Document, establishes a structured approach to regenerating the town's core by promoting and sustainable urban enhancement. Its primary objectives center on creating a vibrant "" centre through the addition of 490 residential units—comprising 139 one-bedroom, 184 two-bedroom, 101 three-bedroom, 22 four-bedroom, and 20 five-bedroom dwellings—alongside 2,200 square metres of new and leisure floorspace to bolster local economic activity. These targets aim to increase , support small-scale employment via 24 live-work units, and improve public realm quality with features like local squares, a revamped Market Square, and Plaza, all justified by the need to reverse retail decline and enhance evidenced by pre-2005 footfall data and stakeholder consultations. The plan's framework organizes development across six spatial zones—High Street, Station Gateway, Riverside Living, Public/Health Focus, Eastern Extension, and Southern Gateway—to facilitate phased implementation over 12-15 years, targeting 30-40 housing s annually. Phase 1 (2006-2009) prioritizes Riverside Living for early residential gains; Phase 2 (2009-2012) addresses public services and extensions; Phase 3 (2012-2015) focuses on transport gateways and vitality; and Phase 4 (2015-2017) completes southern enhancements, including a multi-storey car park with 892 s to manage while limiting residential parking to one per . relies on public-private partnerships, developer contributions, and grants, with emphasis on pedestrian-friendly designs such as 20 mph zones, rear-servicing for buildings, and natural to promote safety and economic realism over vehicle dominance. Pro-development rationales underpin the objectives, including intensification around transport nodes to leverage Wickford's rail connectivity for reduced and higher-density commercial viability, as assessed against criteria showing strong alignment with social and economic goals like job retention in lifestyle sectors. While initial timelines concluded around 2017, the framework's principles persist in guiding subsequent council initiatives, adapting to post-2010 economic shifts without formal extension to 2025.

Housing expansions and new schools

In October 2025, Council approved proposals for 302 new homes on land south of Tresco Way, near Cranfield Park Road in Wickford, alongside a new and to accommodate future residents. The development includes a community hub and allocates 40% of homes as affordable, surpassing Borough's policy minimum of 35%, with the aim of addressing local housing shortages amid Essex's projected . The project promises economic benefits, such as job creation during construction and long-term contributions to council revenue through from approximately 750 new residents, while the integrated mitigates pressure on existing primary in Wickford, where has risen with the town's increasing by about 5% from 2011 to 2021. However, critics, including local councillors, highlighted strains, arguing that roads like Tresco Way lack for additional traffic and that release prioritizes national housing targets over local . Flood risks remain a key concern for Wickford expansions, given the area's proximity to the River Crouch and history of surface water flooding; a separate March 2025 approval for 97 homes nearby proceeded despite resident objections over drainage inadequacies, with planners requiring site-specific flood risk assessments but not detailing elevated defenses or attenuation basins for that site. For the 302-home scheme, mandatory sequential testing under national planning policy favored alternative low-risk sites where possible, though mitigations like sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) were incorporated to manage runoff, balancing development gains against environmental vulnerabilities. Wickford's housing affordability, with average prices at £381,821 in 2025—lower than Billericay's £550,000—could improve slightly via the affordable units, potentially aiding first-time buyers in , where the house price-to-earnings ratio exceeds 9:1; yet, population influx from such projects may exacerbate demand, straining services without proportional infrastructure upgrades.

Data centre and commercial projects

In September 2025, Council granted outline for the £1.3 billion Caineal data centre on 1.8 hectares of land adjacent to the A127 and Old Nevendon Road in Wickford, despite the site's classification as farmland protected to prevent . The project, scaled back from an initial 100-acre proposal submitted in late 2023, represents one of the largest private investments in and targets for applications, with construction phased over seven years. The development is forecasted to create 600 direct jobs and 120 permanent high-skilled operational roles, contributing to local through effects estimated at up to 4,450 total jobs across construction and operations when including indirect impacts. Proponents, including council planning officers, argued that the facility's role in supporting national digital infrastructure justified "very special circumstances" under policy, outweighing the loss of . Opposition from Wickford Town Council highlighted risks of urban coalescence with and policy breaches, though empirical assessments of s reveal their limited causal efficacy in containing sprawl; data from the Campaign to Protect Rural England indicates that green belt designation has displaced development to outer sites, increasing average distances by 10-15% in constrained regions without reducing land take. Alternatives such as brownfield redevelopment in nearby industrial zones were considered but deemed insufficient for the scale required, given the proximity to fiber optic infrastructure along the A127 corridor. The project's commercial viability ties to Essex's emerging status, with embedded energy-efficient designs including on-site renewables to mitigate grid demands.

Proposed super-max prison and opposition

In 2009, the selected the former Runwell Hospital site on Runwell Road, near Wickford, as the location for a new facility designed to accommodate up to 1,500 inmates, primarily in Categories B and C, which include prisoners serving sentences for serious but not the highest-security offenses. The proposal aimed to address chronic overcrowding in the 's system, which had exceeded capacity by thousands of places in the late 2000s, with advocates citing the need for expanded incarceration to manage rising inmate populations and potential benefits like 800 new local jobs in construction and operations. Planning applications were formally submitted to Borough Council in January 2010. Local opposition emerged swiftly, framed by residents and Basildon Council as a threat to , , and property values in the suburban area, despite the site's prior designation for residential including 624 homes, a , and medical facilities. A against the plans, circulated in Wickford and Runwell, amassed over 1,000 signatures by mid-June 2009, with numbers reaching 1,500 shortly thereafter, reflecting widespread "Not In My Backyard" sentiments focused on risks of escapes, increased , and stigmatization of the neighborhood. Basildon Council leader David Bobbin announced a strategic to contest the , arguing it conflicted with local priorities and lacked adequate consultation. While proponents emphasized empirical pressures on the estate—such as the 's certified normal accommodation being routinely surpassed, necessitating new builds to maintain order and reduce through secure housing—opponents' claims of inevitable property devaluation and heightened crime risks lacked site-specific data, mirroring patterns in other prison siting disputes where such fears often proved unsubstantiated post-construction elsewhere. The withdrew the application in July 2010 amid the coalition government's cuts, shelving the project without revival in subsequent years. The episode left a legacy of heightened local vigilance toward large-scale infrastructure on brownfield sites, influencing later development debates in the area.

Regeneration progress and critiques

Construction on the Wickford railway station upgrade commenced in September 2025, following a contract award to Walker Construction announced on 28 2025, with completion anticipated by autumn 2026. This project addresses longstanding infrastructure needs after the original ticket office demolition in 2021, though it faced delays attributed to impacts and rail industry funding constraints. A new restaurant opened on Wickford High Street in late July 2025, converting the former Prezzo site and generating 70 full- and part-time jobs, marking a commercial investment in the town centre. The Wickford (BID), a business-led initiative for enhanced management, marketing, and development of the commercial area, officially launched on 1 January 2025 after a successful in November 2024. Critics have highlighted persistent delays in regeneration efforts, exemplified by the station rebuild's multi-year postponement since the 2021 demolition, which local MP Mark Francois described as symptomatic of broader inefficiencies under Basildon Borough Council. The proposed Asda supermarket redevelopment of the derelict former Co-op site, part of a £30 million plan including 72 flats, collapsed in July 2025 when Asda cited commercial unviability, leaving the site vacant and raising fears of further disused shops exacerbating town centre decline. While initiatives like the BID and opening demonstrate pockets of progress in attracting investment and improving business coordination, detractors argue that regulatory hurdles and planning deferrals have hindered momentum, potentially undermining economic revival amid ongoing vacancy concerns in key sites. Specific vacancy rate data for Wickford remains sparse, but failed redevelopments signal persistent challenges in occupancy and compared to national trends where high street voids have lingered post-pandemic.

Notable people

Jordan Banjo (born December 31, 1992), a street dancer and television presenter known for his role in the Diversity dance troupe that won Britain's Got Talent in 2009, was born in Wickford. Chantelle Houghton (born August 21, 1983), a television personality who won Celebrity Big Brother in 2006 as the show's first non-celebrity housemate by posing as the lead singer of a fictional pop group, was born and raised in Wickford. Andy Coulson (born January 21, 1968), a who served as editor of the from 2003 to 2007 and later as for from 2010 to 2011 before resigning amid phone-hacking scandals, was brought up in Wickford. Robert de Wikeford (died August 29, 1390), an English diplomat, judge, and cleric who became of in 1375 and , belonged to the Wickford family associated with Wickford Hall in the locality. Ryan Cleary (born 1992), a computer hacker convicted in 2013 for his involvement with the group in attacks on websites including those of the CIA and the UK's , resided in Wickford at the time of his 2011 .

References

  1. [1]
    Early History of Wickford - Basildon Council
    The town of Wickford was inhabited in prehistoric, Roman and Saxon times - evidence being found during excavations at Beauchamps Farm.
  2. [2]
    Wickford (Essex, East of England, United Kingdom) - City Population
    Wickford, Essex ; Wickford. 27,524 Population [2021] – Census.
  3. [3]
    The Town - Wickford Town Council
    The town of Wickford has grown from a village with a population of 400 to the market and commuter town we know today in the past 140 years.
  4. [4]
    History of Wickford, Essex | keendrivers
    However, right after World War II, many homeless Londoners started to migrate and live in Wickford, which made its population rise up to 50,000.<|separator|>
  5. [5]
    Where Is Wickford? A Complete Guide to This Charming Essex Town
    Wickford is home to Memorial Park, an expansive 32-hectare park where the River Crouch meanders, providing a peaceful retreat from city life. This area supports ...
  6. [6]
    Wickford Area Guide - Douglas Allen
    Green spaces and countryside escapes surround Wickford; Wickford Memorial Park and Wick Country Park provide tranquil walks close to the town centre.Missing: notable features landmarks
  7. [7]
    Beauchamps Farm Settlement - Heritage Gateway - Results
    Excavations at Beauchamps Farm from 1965-71 revealed occupation from the Late Bronze Age to early Medieval periods. An Iron Age / Belgic settlement including a ...Missing: prehistoric | Show results with:prehistoric
  8. [8]
    Capturing a paradise lost - Southend Echo
    Oct 26, 2006 · The Roman villa burnt to the ground around the year 380, and Wickford was briefly abandoned. But the farmers and sheep grazers soon trickled ...Missing: settlement | Show results with:settlement
  9. [9]
    Roman Essex - Wilcuma
    The Romans pacified the natives by improving their smaller towns, which attracted people from the surrounding countryside with their shops, stalls and crafts, ...
  10. [10]
    Wickford - Wikishire
    Apr 11, 2017 · It has a population of more than 33,000 as of the 2011 census. Wickford has become a commuter town, serving the City of London through its ...
  11. [11]
    Kingdom of Essex - Wikipedia
    It was founded in the 6th century and covered the territory later occupied by the counties of Essex, Middlesex, much of Hertfordshire and (for a short while) ...
  12. [12]
    Wickford: A History
    Sep 6, 2008 · Its name, at various times written as Wickeford, Wyckford or Wygford, is Saxon in origin and means 'a sheep farm on a river crossing'. This ...Missing: etymology | Show results with:etymology
  13. [13]
    What is a manor and what are manorial records? |
    May 20, 2014 · A manor was a unit of land, part of the feudal system. Manorial records include court records and land/financial records.
  14. [14]
    The Development of Wickford's markets
    Mar 29, 2020 · Wickford was seen as a main trading hub with sellers and buyers reported to have come from just about everywhere between the River Thames and the River ...
  15. [15]
    https://www.friendsofthewickcountrypark.co.uk/history.shtml
  16. [16]
    the history and development of the wick country park
    Apr 13, 2022 · As with many other Essex villages within the Buchanan Triangle, Wickford was a farming village, of Saxon origin. Wick means "a winding river ...
  17. [17]
    Wickford in the 1960s - Wickford Community Archive
    Sep 1, 2024 · In the late 1960s, Wickford had a population of 22,000, was considered "boringly urban" with little industry, and lacked a cinema or theatre.
  18. [18]
    The Council – Wickford Town Council
    Wickford Town Council was formed on 16 May 2022. The Basildon Borough (Reorganisation of Community Governance) Order 2021.Missing: history | Show results with:history
  19. [19]
    Wickford wins 'independence' to form town council after ... - Essex Live
    Apr 1, 2021 · Wickford, Essex, has been solely governed by the Basildon Borough Council for years, meaning the town did not have the added local ...Missing: evolution | Show results with:evolution
  20. [20]
    Gotha Bomber | Times of war - Wickford Community Archive
    Feb 18, 2025 · The first Gotha shot down by day was to crash in the County of Kent. This action involved Essex based fighters and the action terminating over the County of ...
  21. [21]
    Gotha Crash listed as nr Wickford in Essex - Great War Forum
    Jul 14, 2006 · You are also correct, Rochford did have its own Gotha crash, near the golf course I think. The aircraft was pretty much intact and there was a ...First German plane shot down over England - Great War ForumGOTHA BOMBER CRASH 1918 - Great War ForumMore results from www.greatwarforum.org
  22. [22]
    War memorials at Dollyman's Farm, Wickford - Historic England
    Mar 2, 2018 · Two war memorials, erected around 1920, dedicated to two British pilots killed in service at this site during the First World War.
  23. [23]
    Wickford WW1 Plane Crash Memorials - Beyond the Point
    May 14, 2021 · Tucked away in an isolated field bordered by the A130 and a railway in Shotgate, near Wickford, Essex, lies two memorials constructed in 1920 to a tragic plane ...
  24. [24]
    Wickford Internment Camp. | Times of war
    Feb 17, 2018 · Rappold, moved to Battlesbridge, Essex, prior to 1939 to live near her husband who had been interned in an internment camp in Wickford. I am ...Missing: military pre
  25. [25]
    WW2 Wickford's Army Camp | Times of war
    Apr 4, 2014 · An Army Camp was erected on land adjacent to what is now Wickford Fire Station, on the corner of Hyde Way.Missing: American | Show results with:American
  26. [26]
    Wickford in the Second World War
    Apr 20, 2013 · Wickford was chosen as the site for a full scale Air Raid Precaution exercise. Volunteer air raid wardens were called upon from neighbouring areas to help.Missing: American | Show results with:American
  27. [27]
    The forgotten WW2 Essex airfield that's now used for weather readings
    Mar 17, 2024 · RAF Andrews Field near Braintree was built by the United States Army Air Forces and was a busy airfield during the Second World War.
  28. [28]
    Welcome to Essex: remembering the USAAF |
    Feb 20, 2024 · In the spring of 1944, the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) reached peak strength in Essex during the run-up to the hotly anticipated ...Missing: Wickford | Show results with:Wickford
  29. [29]
    Bombings in the Wickford area during World War Two. | Times of war
    Jan 22, 2013 · The source of information for the attached are the Air Raid Damage Reports for the Brentwood division, compiled during World War Two.
  30. [30]
    WW2 People's War - My Memories of Wickford During the War - BBC
    Wickford Broadway was one mass of incendiary bombs. In 1940, my two cousins and I were sleeping downstairs ...Missing: military WWII American forces
  31. [31]
    1st Battalion, Essex Home Guard in the Second World War 1939-1945
    1st Battalion, Essex Home Guard had their headquarters in Wickford and was affiliated to the Essex Regiment whose cap badge they wore.Missing: shelters activities
  32. [32]
    My Memories of World War 2. - Wickford Community Archive
    Feb 2, 2024 · Throughout the war we were rationed with food, clothes and coal. Everyone was issued with a ration book – green for children and fawn for adults ...Missing: II | Show results with:II
  33. [33]
    After the flood.. when devastation turned to determination in 1958
    Sep 29, 2018 · Residents were trapped in their homes. Schools and shops were flooded, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage. Although ...
  34. [34]
    Flood waters-eight feet deep in streets of Wickford;Essex: One part ...
    09, 1958 - Flood waters-eight feet deep in streets of Wickford;Essex: One ... River Crouch to burst its banks for the fifth time this year.. Photo ...
  35. [35]
    WICKFORD FLOOD - NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS (2)
    Aug 1, 2013 · The main cause of the trouble is the drainage from Basildon New Town, which the river cannot take when it has to cope with heavy rain as well.Missing: impacts recovery
  36. [36]
    Wickford, Essex (Flooding) (Hansard, 30 July 1958)
    Wickford, Essex (Flooding) (Hansard, 30 July 1958) ... Wickford in the natural flood plain of the River Crouch. The board is investigating the ...
  37. [37]
    Old Images of Wickford, Essex - Local History Videos
    Glimpse history through old images of Wickford, Essex, England. Wickford Floods 1958 Three days of rain led to Wickford's fourth bout of flooding.<|control11|><|separator|>
  38. [38]
    Sep. 09, 1958 - Flood Scenes After Last Night's Storm. Much ... - Alamy
    Many homes were flooded and buildings damaged. Keystone Photo Shows:- A marooned bus pictured in the center of flooded Wickford, Essex, after last night's storm ...
  39. [39]
    "Flood Town" Protests (1958) - YouTube
    Apr 13, 2014 · Full title reads: "Wickford. 'Flood Town' Protests". Wickford, Essex. CU Rain beating down on pavement and stream of water running down ...
  40. [40]
    River Crouch (Flooding) - Hansard - UK Parliament
    ### Summary of River Crouch (Flooding) Debate, 27 November 1958
  41. [41]
    The Second World War and Post War Essex - Wilcuma
    ... American forces who served in Britain for three year's from 1942. In ... The happy relationship between Essex people and their American allies lasted long after ...
  42. [42]
    Personal Memories of Wickford in the late 1950s.
    Sep 28, 2014 · My Wife and I moved to Wickford in December 1955. In the August we had seen an advert in the National press about new properties being built ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  43. [43]
    English Gymnosophical Society | Clubs - Wickford Community Archive
    Mar 31, 2013 · Wickford had the first British Naturism Club. During the 1950s, playground conversation between some school boys included talk about the nudist ...
  44. [44]
    [PDF] The Rise and Development of Naturism in Great Britain - CORE
    May 15, 2018 · It was this perfect storm of events which allowed the pioneers of organized nudism to establish a foothold in Britain's landscape. Pioneers of ...
  45. [45]
    A History of Naturism
    The first club with any kind of established home was founded near Wickford in Essex in the late summer of 1924.
  46. [46]
    Wickford topographic map, elevation, terrain
    It contains areas of woodland, grassland, heath, streams, bogs, and ponds, and its elevation and thin gravelly soil (the result of glaciation) historically made ...Missing: physical features geology type
  47. [47]
    https://www.rochford.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2022-11/evibase_EB6_essex_landscape_character_asssess2003pt3.pdf
  48. [48]
    [PDF] Essex Landscape Character Assessment (2003) - Part 3
    Soils. - Slowly permeable clayey soils, deep stoneless alluvial and well drained silty/loamy soils. Landform/coastal form. - Mostly very gently undulating ...
  49. [49]
    The Wick Country Park - Basildon Council
    Over 2Km of easy access trails take you around the site. Trails lead you past old hedgerows, the new 5 acre lake, ponds, WWII pillboxes and recent woodland ...
  50. [50]
    [PDF] The Wick Country Park
    The 50 acre Park has several trails that lead past old hedgerows, through wide open meadows, past the five acre lake, ponds,. WW2 pillboxes and woodlands.Missing: size | Show results with:size
  51. [51]
    Wick Country Park in Essex
    The park was officially opened in 2005, transforming what was once an agricultural land into a vibrant public space. It was developed by Basildon Borough ...
  52. [52]
    The WCP - Wick Country Park
    Note that the Park is owned by Basildon Borough Council, and day-to-day management of it is overseen by the Council's Parks and Countryside Services Team's ...
  53. [53]
    Dipping Pond Renovation - Wick Country Park
    Apr 6, 2022 · ... Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. The Pond was designed by Basildon ... In April 2012 the Friends of Wick Country Park applied for £2,000 ...
  54. [54]
    [PDF] Wildlife Sightings – 2024 - Wick Country Park
    Aug 20, 2024 · It would be impossible to record 100% of the wildlife that lives in in or uses the park but over time; by carrying out a.
  55. [55]
    Wickford Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (United ...
    For the purposes of this report, the geographical coordinates of Wickford are 51.611 deg latitude, 0.523 deg longitude, and 26 ft elevation. The topography ...
  56. [56]
    The climate of Essex and the best time to visit
    Average yearly temperature: 16°C · Highest temperature: 23°C in July · Lowest temperature: 8°C in January · Precipitation*: 618 mm per year, averaging 52 mm per ...<|separator|>
  57. [57]
    Wickford, Essex, United Kingdom Climate
    Wickford Climate Summary ; Annual low temperature, 8.78ºC (47.8ºF) ; Average annual precip. 16.79mm (0.66in) ; Warmest month, July (22.85ºC / 73.13ºF) ; Coldest ...
  58. [58]
    Wickford Annual Weather Averages - Essex - World Weather Online
    The table below displays max and min temperature and rain data for the whole year as an average taken from last 12+ years of historical data for Wickford.Missing: climate | Show results with:climate
  59. [59]
    Essex residents could get £8,000 to flood-proof their homes - BBC
    Sep 17, 2024 · Wickford - 1,558 residential properties with 1% annual risk; Castle Point – 1,157 residential properties with 1% annual risk; Colchester - 1,797 ...
  60. [60]
    [PDF] Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - Basildon Council
    Aug 16, 2024 · ... River Crouch passes through the north of Wickford where it presents a flood risk to areas including the High Street within Flood Zone 2.
  61. [61]
    [PDF] EB077 South Essex Catchment Flood Management Plan
    We work with many organisations, groups and individuals with an interest in how flood risk is managed including local authorities, Internal Drainage Boards. ( ...
  62. [62]
    River Crouch level at Wickford - Check for flooding - GOV.UK
    We take measurements more often as the risk of flooding increases. Download data CSV (12KB). How levels here could affect nearby areas
  63. [63]
    River Crouch at Wickford :: the UK River Levels Website
    The usual range of the River Crouch at Wickford is between 0.02m and 1.67m. It has been between these levels for 90% of the time since monitoring began.Missing: risk | Show results with:risk
  64. [64]
    Check for flooding in Wickford, Essex - GOV.UK
    The flood risk for the next 5 days is very low. Updated at 10:30am on 26 October 2025. Produced by the Met Office and Environment Agency. Long term flood risk.
  65. [65]
    Local Area - Wickford and Runwell Parish
    As the town has expanded the neighbouring village of Runwell has been incorporated, and they now form a continuous area. Extensive development is still taking ...Missing: Urban | Show results with:Urban
  66. [66]
    [PDF] RUNWELL PARISH | Chelmsford City Council
    Runwell is a suburb of Wickford and a civil parish on the A132 road. Runwell Community Primary School and St Marys Church are located at Runwell.
  67. [67]
    Distance from Wickford to ...
    Cities nearby Wickford. Pitsea (5 km), South Benfleet (7 km), Basildon (7 km), Rayleigh (6 km), Hadleigh (9 km), Billericay (7 km), Canvey Island (11 km) ...
  68. [68]
    Rayleigh and Wickford (E14001437) - Office for National Statistics
    Explore statistics about Rayleigh and Wickford. Custom profiles. Build a custom area profile for Rayleigh and Wickford using Census 2021 and newer non-Census ...Missing: spillover Basildon
  69. [69]
    A couple of early OS maps of Wickford and its surroundings 1805 ...
    Jan 20, 2025 · The population of Wickford only passed the 1000 mark in the 20th century. 9 mos.Lafayette Post Office on Ten Rod Road - FacebookRAILWAY JOURNEY TO THE PAST Travelling the Southminster LineMore results from www.facebook.com
  70. [70]
    [PDF] GREATER ESSEX TRENDS
    In the ten years to 2020, 74% of recent growth in the Greater. Essex population was due to migration while only 26% could be accounted of by 'natural growth' ( ...Missing: Wickford | Show results with:Wickford
  71. [71]
    [PDF] Basildon Employment Land Needs Assessment Final Report
    Feb 4, 2025 · According to latest ONS population projections3, Basildon Borough's working age population is expected to increase by 9.8% from 2018 to 2040.
  72. [72]
    Basildon Population | Historic, forecast, migration - Varbes
    Figures reported by the ONS in 2018. The population of Basildon is forecast to be 192,537 in 2025 and 196,333 in 2030.Missing: Wickford | Show results with:Wickford
  73. [73]
    Wickford (Essex, East of England, United Kingdom) - City Population
    Wickford (Essex, East of England, United Kingdom) with population statistics, charts, map, location, weather and web information.
  74. [74]
    How life has changed in Basildon: Census 2021
    Jan 19, 2023 · In 2021, 87.5% of people in Basildon identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 92.7% in 2011), while 4.3% ...Missing: Wickford | Show results with:Wickford<|separator|>
  75. [75]
    Demographics of Rayleigh And Wickford - Propertistics
    95% of the local population were born in the UK and 93% have lived in Rayleigh and Wickford for 3 years or more.Missing: census | Show results with:census
  76. [76]
    Basildon's employment, unemployment and economic inactivity - ONS
    May 13, 2024 · In Basildon: ; Employment rate 74.9% ages 16 to 64 ; Unemployment rate 4.6% ages 16+ ; Claimant Count 3.7% ages 16 to 64 ; Economic inactivity 17.3% ...
  77. [77]
    The most and least deprived areas in Essex revealed - Your Harlow
    Oct 18, 2020 · The list is as follows: 1) Rayleigh and Wickford – 496 (+10) 2) Saffron Waldon – 493 (+12) 3) Brentwood and Ongar – 462 (-1) 4) Chelmsford – 433 (+
  78. [78]
    English indices of deprivation 2019 - GOV.UK
    Sep 26, 2019 · The English indices of deprivation measure relative deprivation in small areas in England called lower-layer super output areas.Deprivation · Mapping resources · Ministry of Housing<|separator|>
  79. [79]
    Wickford Dates | Topics
    Nov 25, 2010 · 1920' s Wickford and District Electrical Supply Co operating in Southend Road. 1923 Railway becomes part of LNER. 1925 Gospel Mission Room ...Missing: Urban | Show results with:Urban
  80. [80]
    "All Aboard" 2. | Transport - Wickford Community Archive
    Aug 19, 2020 · Construction of the line from Shenfield to Wickford began sometime between June and early August 1885, dates vary. The estimates for the cost of ...Missing: impact | Show results with:impact
  81. [81]
    Walks around Wickford in the 1960s and 70s
    Nov 25, 2011 · My first walk is from the Baptist church in Shotgate to the the C of E Infants School on Southend Road. Turn left out of the Baptist church, ...
  82. [82]
    [PDF] Basildon Implementation Plan - Essex County Council
    Nearly 50% of Basildon borough's working population work within Basildon4, highlighting the need for good local transport connections. Other key employment ...
  83. [83]
    [PDF] Basildon | Centre for Cities
    weekly workplace earnings, 2024. £697 (20/63) employment & unemployment. Employment rate, 2024. 76.5% (20/62). Claimant count, Nov 2024. 4,645. 3.9% (36/63).
  84. [84]
    In the News: Basildon Council approves £1.3 Billion AI Data Centre ...
    Sep 26, 2025 · Wider benefits to the borough include: ; Over £1 billion in direct investment ; More than 600 jobs during construction ; 120 permanent high-skilled ...
  85. [85]
    Data center project in Basildon, UK, gets green light from planners
    Sep 26, 2025 · A £1.3 billion ($1.7bn) data center project in Essex, UK, has been given the green light. Developer Caineal has been granted planning ...
  86. [86]
    £1.3bn AI data centre in Essex approved to anchor UK's digital ...
    Oct 6, 2025 · Wickford secures approval for a £1.3bn AI data centre, bringing jobs, green design and digital infrastructure to Essex.Missing: investments | Show results with:investments
  87. [87]
    Wickford station upgrade programme starts in September this year
    May 12, 2025 · Greater Anglia has confirmed that the project to upgrade Wickford station will start in September this year and is due for completion in Autumn 2026.
  88. [88]
    Wickford railway station revamp contracts signed - BBC
    Mar 3, 2025 · Construction workers have been given the green light to rebuild a station ticket office after it was demolished five years ago.Missing: regeneration | Show results with:regeneration
  89. [89]
    Work to rebuild demolished Wickford Railway Station ticket office to ...
    Mar 3, 2025 · Contracts have been signed for the redevelopment of Wickford Train Station, with works set to start almost five years after the ticket office was demolished.Missing: town | Show results with:town
  90. [90]
    Wickford Town Centre Regeneration - Hansard - UK Parliament
    Apr 25, 2025 · My main purpose in this debate is to talk about the economic regeneration of Wickford, but given that Labour-led Basildon borough council ...Missing: center | Show results with:center
  91. [91]
    Plans for 302 Wickford homes and new school set for approval | Echo
    Oct 10, 2025 · Proposals for hundreds of new homes and a primary school on the outskirts of a south Essex town look set for approval by Basildon Council.
  92. [92]
    [PDF] WICKFORD TOWN CENTRE CONSULTATION Report
    Nov 18, 2021 · Wickford has a growing population and it is important that the town centre is revitalised to encourage inward investment to accommodate this ...Missing: center | Show results with:center
  93. [93]
    Essex County Council: Welcome to Essex
    Our services · Adult social care and health · Children, young people and families · Schools and learning · Jobs and apprenticeships · Births, ceremonies and deaths.About the council · Search · Contact us · Births, ceremonies and deaths
  94. [94]
    How Basildon Borough Council works
    The Councillors are elected by thirds - there are Borough Council elections 3 years out of every 4, with an Essex County Council election being held in the ...
  95. [95]
    Find your local council: search result - GOV.UK
    District councils are responsible for services like: rubbish and recycling collection; council tax; housing. Go to Basildon Borough Council website.
  96. [96]
    Wickford Town Council
    May 16, 2022 · Wickford Town Council was formed on 16 May 2022. ... The Town Council has 20 Town Councillors. ... The Town Clerk is Mrs Tory Melhuish. ... The Chair ...
  97. [97]
    [PDF] The Basildon Borough (Reorganisation of Community Governance ...
    Oct 5, 2021 · Basildon Borough Council ("the council"), in accordance with section 83(b) of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (e) ...
  98. [98]
    [PDF] Scheme of Delegation 2025 - Wickford Town Council
    Sep 8, 2025 · This document sets out the way in which Wickford Town Council (the Council) shall delegate powers and responsibilities to the Town Clerk and ...
  99. [99]
    FAQs - Wickford Town Council
    A A Town Councillor represents a specific geographical area known as a ward within the Town Councils jurisdiction. The Councillor acts as a voice for the ...
  100. [100]
    [PDF] ELECTORAL REVIEW OF BASILDON Final recommendations for ...
    WICKFORD NORTH. WICKFORD PARK. A. B. C. KEY. BOROUGH COUNCIL BOUNDARY. PROPOSED WARD BOUNDARY. PARISH BOUNDARY. PROPOSED WARD BOUNDARY COINCIDENT WITH PARISH ...
  101. [101]
    Basildon Borough Council By-Election - Wickford Park Ward
    Jun 26, 2025 · The by-election for Basildon Borough Council, Wickford Park Ward will take place on Thursday 26 June 2025 between the hours of 7.00am and 10.00pm.Missing: Town powers
  102. [102]
    Essex council reorganisation could be decided by these maps - BBC
    Sep 13, 2025 · We explain the competing plans to reform councils in Essex following their publication.
  103. [103]
    Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Both Basildon Borough ...
    Sep 30, 2025 · Essex county council has recommended Wickford join Runwell and leaves Basildon. You will have a say in the consultation, the government will ...
  104. [104]
    Annual Governance Statement - Basildon Council
    Basildon Council is committed to ensuring good governance principles and management practices are adopted in all business activities to ensure public trust. The ...
  105. [105]
    Green-belt Development: Rayleigh and Wickford - Hansard
    Jun 20, 2025 · The proposals anticipate building an incredible 27,000 dwellings across the borough council area during the planning period out to about 2043, ...Missing: demographic | Show results with:demographic
  106. [106]
    Green Belt: Basildon and Billericay - Hansard - UK Parliament
    Jan 17, 2025 · ... Basildon borough is green belt, covering some 6,590 hectares. Why this debate today? Basildon council has put forward a new local plan, with ...
  107. [107]
    New £1.3bn data centre plans approved by council - BBC
    Sep 26, 2025 · Plans for £1bn data centre recommended for approval. The scheme proposed for Wickford is to be considered by Basildon Borough Council next week.
  108. [108]
    Plans for Basildon data centre approved | IT Pro - ITPro
    Sep 29, 2025 · Basildon Council has granted permission for a new £1.3 billion datacentre in Wickford in Essex. To be built by developer Caineal, the project ...
  109. [109]
    £1.3bn AI data centre in Essex approved to anchor UK's digital ...
    Oct 6, 2025 · This green buffer aims to preserve the gap between Basildon and Wickford and to support biodiversity across the site. Local planning ...
  110. [110]
    Corporate Plan 2025-29 - Basildon Council
    Basildon Borough Council's Corporate Plan sets out a bold vision for the future, reflecting a commitment to delivering high-quality services.<|separator|>
  111. [111]
    Basildon Budget 2024/25
    Feb 22, 2024 · Conservatives deliver a balanced budget The General Fund and HRA Budget for 2024/25 was passed at Full Council on Thursday.Missing: fiscal spending
  112. [112]
    Basildon Council spent more than £1m on waste 'disaster' - BBC
    Aug 27, 2024 · A controversial bin collection system has seen a council spend more than £1m in additional costs, with extra crews and fuel contributing to ...Missing: fiscal debates
  113. [113]
    In the News: Basildon Council launches Budget Consultation
    Basildon Council has launched its Budget Consultation, inviting residents and local businesses to share their views on how council funds should be spent in the ...Missing: debates conservatism
  114. [114]
    Construction begins to deliver an upgraded station facility at Wickford
    Sep 15, 2025 · The start of the project, which is due to be completed by Autumn 2026, was marked at the station this morning (15 September) as representatives ...
  115. [115]
    RailwayData | Wickford Station - The Railway Data Centre
    Station Usage. In 2023/2024, Wickford had 1,717,462 entries and exits, making it the 304th most used, out of 2,581 stations in Great Britain. 304/2581. It ...
  116. [116]
    Wickford station works begin after years of delays | Echo
    Sep 15, 2025 · Construction is now under way and is expected to be completed by autumn 2026. Andrew Goodrum, infrastructure and projects director for Greater ...
  117. [117]
    New Wickford station building to be built from September four years ...
    May 12, 2025 · Construction of a new station building at Wickford is due to begin in September, four years after the previous building was demolished.
  118. [118]
    [PDF] Service 25 Southend.pdf - First Bus
    Service 25 runs from Southend to Basildon via Southend Hospital, Rayleigh, and Wickford, including stops like Wickford Broadway and Southend Hospital.
  119. [119]
    [PDF] 10 Basildon - Wickford.pdf - First Bus
    Route 10 runs towards Basildon & Basildon Hospital and Wickford & Shotgate, Mondays to Saturdays except public holidays. No buses on Sundays & public holidays.
  120. [120]
    [PDF] 13 13A 14 Chelmsford - Wickford.pdf - First Bus
    routes 13, 13A & 14 are financially supported by. Essex County Council ... Wickford The Wick Tesco. 0825 0847 0911 0956 1018 1051 1113 1151 1213 1251 1313 1351 ...
  121. [121]
    Bus Wickford to Basildon | Tickets & Timetables - Rome2Rio
    First Essex operates a bus from The Swans to Bus Station every 20 minutes, and the journey takes 19 min. Two other operators also service this route. Bus ...
  122. [122]
    14 - The Wick - Wickford Station (NIBSbuses) - Travel Essex
    About Essex bus services · Explore bus options. Discover buses. Enter a location, postcode or bus number to find nearby bus stops and routes ... Wickford Station ...Missing: frequencies | Show results with:frequencies
  123. [123]
    Fares | First Bus
    New fares from 1st January 2025 · The maximum single fare will be £3, but some shorter journeys will cost less. · Shorter distance singles will start at £1.50, ...
  124. [124]
    Wickford PlusBus
    Duration, Adult, Price / Day, Child, Price / Day. 7-days, £11.30, £2.26, £5.65, £1.13. Month, £40.80, £2.04, £20.40, £1.02. Quarter, £113.00, £1.88, £56.50 ...
  125. [125]
    Wickford Station Forecourt Improvements | Essex County Council
    The investment by Essex County Council provides an additional exit lane at the Station Approach junction with Station Avenue allowing easier access for buses, ...
  126. [126]
    [PDF] Essex County Council Bus Service Improvement Plan 2024
    Sep 1, 2024 · To include in those reviews the network (e.g. routes and service frequencies); ... contribution to enabling bus operators delivering services for ...
  127. [127]
    [PDF] Review of the Essex County Council Bus Service Improvement Plan ...
    Jan 3, 2023 · Table 1 - Bus Passenger Numbers 2015/16 to 2022/23. Financial Year. Essex passenger numbers 2015-22. All operators. Trend (% change) year on ...Missing: ridership | Show results with:ridership
  128. [128]
    A127 - Roader's Digest: The SABRE Wiki
    Aug 19, 2025 · The A127, known as the Southend Arterial Road, is a major road in south Essex, forming one of two major road links Southend has to the Capital.
  129. [129]
    A127 / A132 Nevendon Interchange | Essex County Council
    The scheme was designed to manage congestion at the Nevendon roundabout and improve A127 journey times and access to Basildon and Wickford via the A132 Nevendon ...
  130. [130]
    [PDF] SE LEP Business Case – A127 Corridor for Growth Capacity ...
    Jul 10, 2019 · The A127 / A132 Nevendon Interchange is located to the north of Basildon and forms part of a key link to. Wickford. The interchange suffers from ...Missing: connectivity | Show results with:connectivity
  131. [131]
    [PDF] A127 Economic Growth Corridor Task Force - Essex Highways
    Jun 28, 2019 · AM peak hour congestion is worst between M25 and Gallows corner, with journey times over four times longer than off-peak. • Two other sections ...
  132. [132]
    Manual count point: 16646 - Road traffic statistics - GOV.UK
    In 2024, manual count at point 16646 on A127 showed 61,383 all motor vehicles, 44,705 cars and taxis, and 13,363 heavy goods vehicles.
  133. [133]
    [PDF] A127 / A132 Nevendon Interchange improvement ... - Essex Highways
    Apr 19, 2016 · It is recognised that congestion remains an issue along this stretch of the A132 and there are longer term proposals to provide a dualled road ...Missing: connectivity | Show results with:connectivity
  134. [134]
    [PDF] Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans – Basildon July 2025
    On the map there is a key which you can click on which shows the legend. The proposed cycling route 13A connects Shotgate to Wickford. Town Centre. We do not ...
  135. [135]
    [PDF] ATF Wickford Summary of Proposals May 2021 - Essex Highways
    Details of the proposed walking and cycling infrastructure enhancements for Wickford are included in this document (page 6). This ATF consultation is the ...
  136. [136]
    The Wickford Church of England School - Open - Ofsted reports
    The overall outcome of the inspection on 13 September 2023 was ... Outstanding ... Quality of education ... Outstanding ... Behaviour and attitudes ... Outstanding.
  137. [137]
    The Wickford Church of England School - SchoolChecker
    Total Pupils, 140(85% capacity) ; Age Range, 2-7 ; Gender, Mixed ; Boy/Girl Ratio. 45.7% Girls. 54.3% Boys ; Eligible for Free School Meals, 11 pupils (7.9%).
  138. [138]
    Wickford Primary School | Ofsted Ratings, Reviews, Exam ... - Snobe
    Wickford Primary School is state primary school, located at Basildon SS12 0AG. School rated as Ofsted Good & ranks #34 on Basildon.
  139. [139]
    Ofsted - Wickford Primary School
    Inspection of Wickford Primary School, Market Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0AG. Inspection dates: 10 and 11 January 2023. Overall effectiveness – Good.
  140. [140]
    Primary schools in Wickford - AllSchools UK
    Primary schools in Wickford · Abacus Primary School. Primary • Community school • Ofsted: 2 · Grange Primary School. Primary • Community school • Ofsted: 2.
  141. [141]
    The Bromfords School | Reviews, Admissions and Catchment Area
    None. Gender, Mixed. Number of Pupils, 1118. Local Authority, Essex. Highlights ... To locate by [Ofsted] rating: they locrated the school using locrating.com.
  142. [142]
    The Bromfords School - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted
    Inspection outcome. Ofsted made the following key judgements following school inspection on 15 October 2024: Quality of education: Requires Improvement.
  143. [143]
    Beauchamps High School, Wickford - The Schools Guide
    It has about 1,470 boys and girls aged between 11 and 18. Ofsted last inspected the school in January 2025. Particular strengths include Environment, ...
  144. [144]
    Beauchamps High School - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted
    Inspection outcome. Ofsted made the following key judgements following school inspection on 28 January 2025: Quality of education: Good.
  145. [145]
    Courses for school leavers Further Education - South Essex College
    South Essex College provides a broad range of vocational and academic courses for 16-18 year- olds, including BTEC Certificates, NVQs and Diplomas.
  146. [146]
    USP College Seevic Campus in Benfleet, Essex
    Located in Benfleet, our Seevic campus is a leading local provider of A-Levels, Professional, Foundation Learning, Adult and Higher Education courses.<|separator|>
  147. [147]
    Apprenticeships Jobs in Wickford - Updated Daily - Totaljobs
    There are 43 temporary Apprenticeships jobs and 311 part-time Apprenticeships jobs available in Wickford at the moment. what is an apprenticeship role? An ...
  148. [148]
    DEBUT TRAINING ACADEMY LIMITED - training provider
    Since 2008, we continue to provide excellent training to apprentices across all age groups specialising in hair, beauty, makeup and nails. By collaborating with ...Missing: programs | Show results with:programs
  149. [149]
    Basildon schoolchildren have lowest attainment of any large town
    Jul 29, 2023 · New research by the Office for National Statistics revealed Basildon as the large town with the lowest attainment in England.Missing: district | Show results with:district
  150. [150]
    Exams & School Performance - The Bromfords School
    29% (57/198) students have enrolled at Bromfords 6th Form · 58% (115/198) students have enrolled in other schools / colleges · 7% (14/198) have secured full time ...
  151. [151]
    [PDF] About the Education Policy Institute
    ▫ Overall GCSE attainment in Essex is very similar to the national average. In 2021 the average. GCSE grade in English and maths in Essex was 4.96 compared ...
  152. [152]
    [PDF] About the Education Policy Institute
    In 2019/20 the national average disadvantage gap for the 16-19 phase was 3.1 A level grades. In Essex the gap was 3.5 grades. Both the Essex and national ...
  153. [153]
    Persistent association between family socioeconomic status and ...
    We show for the first time that over 95 years in Britain the association between family SES and children's primary school performance has remained stable.Missing: Basildon Essex
  154. [154]
    The UK education system preserves inequality – new report - IFS
    Sep 13, 2022 · The gaps between poor and rich children during the school years translate into huge differences in their qualifications as adults. This graph ...Missing: Basildon Essex
  155. [155]
    The effect of school inputs and educational attainments
    This project studied school inputs, such as how much money is spent per pupil and staff/pupil ratios, to analyse their effects on: pupils' educational ...Missing: correlation Basildon
  156. [156]
    Wickford News - Southend Echo
    Homes in south Essex fitted with smoke alarms after garage fire ... Queues - The road closure is causing delays in and around Wickford this afternoon.
  157. [157]
    Basildon news from the Echo
    Echo news from Southend, Basildon, Canvey, Benfleet, Rayleigh, Rochford, Wickford, Billericay, Thurrock, Essex, Sport from Southend United, West Ham.Missing: coverage | Show results with:coverage
  158. [158]
    Wickford Town News Magazine - CommunityAd
    The Wickford Town News magazine is delivered bi-monthly and keeps all its readers up to date with local news, articles of community interest, planning, ...
  159. [159]
    Listen live! - Phoenix FM
    Listen live! · on 98.0FM in Essex and East London. · on DAB in south east Essex (Southend, Rayleigh, Canvey Island, Wickford, Basildon and Billericay) · by ...
  160. [160]
    Radio stations in Essex - Radio.net
    Discover all radio stations from Essex and listen to them online. Live internet radio - easy and for free on radio.net.
  161. [161]
    Our Services - Wickford & District Talking Newspaper
    We supply an audio Weekly News recording made up of local news and articles, mostly taken from The Wickford & Billericay Gazette and The Echo.Missing: media | Show results with:media
  162. [162]
    Exact road closure timings as Wickford Town Carnival takes place
    Sep 12, 2025 · The parade will be leaving Runwell park around 12pm and is expected to be going past the Swan pub at 1pm after a short break, along High St and ...
  163. [163]
    Wickford Town Carnival on Instagram
    Sep 15, 2025 · Please be considerate and let's have a safe and joyous carnival parade in it's 106th year. Check local AA signage. #wickford · #carnival · # ...<|separator|>
  164. [164]
    Wickford Market
    Wickford Market is currently held every Saturday, 9am to 3.30pm in Market Lane. It is operated by Love Markets Ltd under agreement with the Town Council.
  165. [165]
    Events - Wickford Town Council
    Category: Events · Remembrance Parade in Wickford Sunday 9 November · Council and Committee Meetings · Winter Events · Spooky Halloween Market Saturday 1 November.Missing: cultural | Show results with:cultural
  166. [166]
    Community Groups and Clubs in Wickford
    Wickford has groups like Basildon Community Transport, gardening groups, art groups, scouting, a foodbank, and a wildlife society.
  167. [167]
    [PDF] A profile of people living in Basildon - Essex Open Data
    It has a lower proportion of over 65s compared to the county as a whole although a 19% increase is expected between 2015 and 2025 equating to 6,100 more people.Missing: projections | Show results with:projections
  168. [168]
    A naked history of 100 years of naturism - Southend Echo
    Mar 25, 2022 · Britain's first-ever nudist colony opened right here in Wickford 98 years ago. Known as Sunbeam, or more simply as “The Camp”, it was founded by the ...
  169. [169]
    Wickford Swim and Fitness Centre - Everyone Active
    Wickford Swim and Fitness Centre. Facilities includes a gym, swimming pool & fitness classes. Sign up today for our swim lessons or a gym membership.
  170. [170]
    Wickford Cricket Club |
    Wickford Cricket Club was founded in 1887. With both adult and junior teams, the club has everything to offer the club cricketer. The club's friendly atmosphere ...Club History · WCC Bar/Clubhouse Hire · Information · Sponsors
  171. [171]
    Australian transplant cricket team visits Wickford for match - BBC News
    Jun 22, 2025 · The Australia Lucky Stars Transplant Cricket team played against Wickford Cricket Club. The team were in the UK to play three games against the England and ...
  172. [172]
    wickford town fc
    Registered Charity and Community Led Football Club with mini soccer, youth and adult football teams.Contact · New players · Club Info · Girls football
  173. [173]
    Female Football Success at Wickford & Runwell United FC - Essex FA
    Aug 13, 2025 · Wickford & Runwell United FC are celebrating the success of their recently-launched Ladies Just Play sessions, which have seen a strong and ...
  174. [174]
    Sports & Recreation Facilities in Wickford - Cylex Local Search
    Wickford Lawn Tennis Club. Open now. Patmore Memorial Sports Ground, Swan Lane, RUNWELL, Wickford, Essex England, SS11 7DD. 07428 775899.
  175. [175]
    Runwell Sports & Social Club – A community at the heart of Runwell
    Our indoor activities include Darts, Snooker, Pool and Short Mat Bowls, and Adults dance and fitness classes. Become a member.Membership · Contact Us · Events · FootballMissing: leisure | Show results with:leisure
  176. [176]
    Jack Of All Sports | Wickford - Facebook
    Rating 4.9 (91) Jackofallsports offer various coaching sessions to all age groups! School activities, Holidays and Birthday Parties! 07919888093Missing: leisure facilities
  177. [177]
    [PDF] Wickford Town Centre Masterplan - Basildon Council
    Nov 3, 2005 · 2.13 In the 19th Century, the population was concentrated largely in an area from ... Essex (5%) and national (3%) population growth over the ...
  178. [178]
    [PDF] Wickford Town Centre Master Plan Sustainability Assessment
    Jul 28, 2005 · 9.1 Objectives of the Wickford Town centre Masterplan ... The plans objectives overall performed well against the SA framework.
  179. [179]
    [PDF] Annual Monitoring Report December 2010 - Basildon Council
    Dec 31, 2010 · Wickford is continuing to make improvements based upon a regeneration plan for the town centre. Transport. 26. One of the District's major ...
  180. [180]
    Plans for 302 homes and new school in Wickford likely to be agreed
    Oct 13, 2025 · The proposals include 302 new homes, a community hub, and a primary and nursery school, located near Cranfield Park Road, Wickford. The plans ...
  181. [181]
    Plans for 302-home estate unveiled for land near country park in ...
    Sep 20, 2024 · A planning statement said: “The proposal will provide 302 homes, including 40 per cent affordable housing which is in excess of the policy ...Missing: approval | Show results with:approval
  182. [182]
    [PDF] BASILDON PROFILES WICKFORD NORTH
    WICKFORD NORTH - POPULATION. POPULATION GROWTH BY WARD - 2008 - 2018. POPULATION GROWTH FOR WICKFORD NORTH. 2008 - 2018. AGE PROFILE. Page 6. BILLERICAY WEST ...Missing: spillover Rayleigh
  183. [183]
    Councillor George Jeffery - Facebook
    Oct 1, 2025 · My view on the 302-home development south of Tresco Way. London Misses Targets, Wickford Loses Green Belt At the Planning Committee, I argued ...
  184. [184]
    Plan for estate with 97 new homes approved despite local flooding ...
    Mar 14, 2025 · A new estate with almost 100 homes in Wickford, described as a disaster, will be built after concerns over flooding and crashes were raised.
  185. [185]
    [PDF] The Flood Risk Sequential Test for the Basildon Borough Local Plan
    Where the risks of flooding from these zones can potentially be mitigated through planning decisions surrounding the number and positioning of housing units ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  186. [186]
    Living in Wickford: What You Need to Know About Life in Essex
    Wickford boasts a rich history, with origins tracing back to Roman times, and a vibrant community spirit reflected in local traditions and events. Transport is ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
  187. [187]
    [PDF] Minerals Local Plan Review Topic Paper Growth Locations and ...
    The housing stock in Essex increased by approximately 5,565 net additional homes in. 2020/21 to 654,000. To achieve the ambition of meeting 300,000 homes a year ...
  188. [188]
    £1.3bn Essex AI data centre gains outline planning
    Sep 29, 2025 · The scheme at Wickford, being brought forward by developer Caineal, will be built out over seven years on land next to the A127 and Old ...
  189. [189]
    Plans for data center on Green Belt land in Essex, UK, scaled back
    Jan 6, 2025 · Developer Caineal is looking to build the campus on 1.8 hectares of land on both sides of Old Nevendon Road between Basildon and Wickford, Essex.
  190. [190]
    Massive new data centre could be built on green belt ... - Essex Live
    Dec 28, 2024 · A huge new data centre could be built on green belt land near a major Essex road if plans are allowed to go ahead. Developer Caineal have asked ...
  191. [191]
    'Critical' £1.3bn AI data centre will be built in Essex despite loss of ...
    Oct 1, 2025 · Plans for a £1.3 billion artificial intelligence data centre, off a major Essex road, have been given the go-ahead. The major development, ...
  192. [192]
    Plans for £1bn Wickford data centre recommended for approval - BBC
    Sep 18, 2025 · Plans for a £1bn AI data centre have been recommended for approval. Caineal wants to build the centre on green belt land near the A127 and ...
  193. [193]
    PLANNING OFFICERS SUPPORT £1BN DATA CENTRE IN ESSEX
    Sep 25, 2025 · Plans for a £1bn AI data centre have been recommended for approval. Caineal wants to build the centre on green belt land near the A127 and ...<|separator|>
  194. [194]
    New £1.3bn data centre plans approved by council - AOL.com
    Plans to build a £1.3bn data centre have been given approval by a council. The facility will be constructed on land near the A127 and Old Nevendon Road in ...
  195. [195]
    A127 Wickford £1billion data centre plans set for approval | Echo
    Sep 18, 2025 · Plans for a huge data centre set to bring £1 billion in investment has been recommended for approval to Basildon Council by council ...
  196. [196]
    1500 prisoners may be heading your way - Southend Echo
    Nov 1, 2009 · If approved by Chelmsford Borough Council, the planning authority for the hospital site, it will house category B and category C prisoners.
  197. [197]
    Application for 1500-capacity Essex prison withdrawn - Building
    Jul 22, 2010 · The Ministry of Justice has withdrawn its application for a 1,500-capacity prison near Wickford, Essex. The scheme on the site of the former ...
  198. [198]
    Runwell Prison Plans - Essex Portal
    The Runwell Prison will be a category B prison and hold 1000 to 1500 inmates, many possibly serving life sentences. The prison will create 800 new local jobs ...Missing: supermax 2000s
  199. [199]
    PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES - Parliament UK
    over 14,000 prison places under the prison capacity programme by 2012. A planning application for a new. 1500 place prison at Runwell in Essex has been ...
  200. [200]
    New Runwell prison plan submitted - Home - BBC News
    Jan 26, 2010 · Plans to build a new 1500-inmate jail at the site of a former hospital are submitted to Chelmsford Borough Council.Missing: supermax 2000s
  201. [201]
    Battle lines drawn over Wickford prison plan - Southend Echo
    May 1, 2009 · A battle plan is being drawn up by the leader of Basildon Council to fight proposals to build a prison in Wickford.
  202. [202]
    More than 1000 people against Wickford prison plan - Southend Echo
    Jun 15, 2009 · MORE than 1000 angry residents have now signed up to a petition opposing Government plans to build a prison in Wickford.
  203. [203]
    1500 now supporting bid to stop new prison - Southend Echo
    Jun 30, 2009 · About 700 shoppers and shopkeepers signed a petition against the plans for a 1,500-capacity prison on the site of Runwell Hospital, in Runwell ...
  204. [204]
    Spending Review: New Essex prison plan shelved in cuts - BBC News
    Oct 26, 2010 · The former Runwell Hospital site near Wickford had been earmarked to become a 1,500-place prison by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).Missing: supermax 2000s
  205. [205]
    Whitehall withdraws Runwell prison plan... for now - Southend Echo
    Jul 20, 2010 · But the ministry announced yesterday it was withdrawing its proposal for the Category B prison ... site of the old hospital. The council granted ...
  206. [206]
    Wickford Station - Hansard - UK Parliament
    Mar 7, 2025 · Hansard record of the item : ' Wickford Station' on Friday 7 March 2025.Missing: statistics | Show results with:statistics
  207. [207]
    Debate: Wickford Station - 7th Mar 2025 - Parallel Parliament
    Mar 7, 2025 · The delivery of the Wickford station scheme was then delayed by covid-19 and the wider funding challenges facing the rail industry in its ...Missing: critiques | Show results with:critiques
  208. [208]
    Essex McDonald's to open in Wickford High Street this month | Echo
    Jul 12, 2025 · A new McDonald's coming to Wickford High Street is set to open in late July, with bosses currently recruiting for restaurant staff.Missing: proposal | Show results with:proposal
  209. [209]
    https://www.wickfordbid.com/what-is-a-bid
  210. [210]
    What is a BID
    Following a successful ballot result, which was announced on the 8th November 2024, Wickford BID has commenced on the 1st January 2025 and will operate for a ...Missing: formation | Show results with:formation
  211. [211]
    Billericay and Wickford Business Improvement Districts Officially ...
    Billericay and Wickford Business Improvement Districts Officially Confirmed to Launch in January 2025.
  212. [212]
    Wickford Town Centre Regeneration: 25 Apr 2025 - TheyWorkForYou
    Apr 25, 2025 · The rebuild of the station will now commence this summer and should be completed by the end of 2026 at the latest, and hopefully a little ...
  213. [213]
    Asda pulls out of plans to rebuild derelict Essex supermarket
    Jul 22, 2025 · Major supermarket chain Asda will not be involved in a planned redevelopment of a derelict supermarket site in Wickford. The supermarket had ...
  214. [214]
    Wickford Asda supermarket withdrawn from flats plans | Echo
    Jul 21, 2025 · ASDA has backed out of long-awaited plans for a new superstore to replace a former Co-op in Wickford, stating it is not commercially viable.
  215. [215]
    https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/2127231/jordan-banjo-diversity-ashley/
  216. [216]
    Who is Diversity dancer Jordan Banjo and when did his troupe win ...
    Jordan Banjo, born on December 31, 1992, is a British street dancer and broadcaster. ... They both grew up in Wickford, Essex, with their Nigerian boxer ...
  217. [217]
    Jordan Banjo: Height, girlfriend and family revealed - Heart Radio
    Jan 3, 2019 · Born in Wickford, Essex, he has been part of the British street ... Jordan was born to Nigerian boxer dad Funso and ballet dancer mum Danielle.
  218. [218]
    Big Brother's Chantelle Houghton loses Closer battle - BBC News
    Sep 25, 2014 · Ms Houghton, 31, from Wickford, Essex, wanted Closer to reveal the name of its source after claiming that information relating to her had ...
  219. [219]
    Celebrity Big Brother's Chantelle Houghton's life after ... - Essex Live
    Oct 22, 2023 · The Wickford girl managed to fool her housemates that she was the lead singer of a fictional girl group called Kandy Floss. During the show, ...
  220. [220]
    Profile: Andy Coulson - BBC News
    Jun 3, 2015 · Coulson was born in 1968 and brought up in Wickford, Essex. He was educated at the local state school, Beauchamps Comprehensive. The devoted ...Missing: birthplace | Show results with:birthplace
  221. [221]
    Wikeford (Wickford, Wykeford), Robert | Dictionary of Irish Biography
    Wikeford (Wickford, Wykeford), Robert (d. 1390), archbishop of Dublin, archdeacon of Winchester, and chancellor of Ireland, was a scholar of Merton College, ...
  222. [222]
    Arrest of suspected UK hacker "significant"-police - Reuters
    Jun 22, 2011 · By Mohammed Abbas. WICKFORD, England, June 22 (Reuters) - Britain's top policeman said on Wednesday the arrest of a suspected teenage hacker ...
  223. [223]
    Lulzsec hacker group handed jail sentences - BBC News
    May 16, 2013 · The four men, Ryan Cleary, Jake Davis, Mustafa al-Bassam and Ryan Ackroyd, were part of the Lulzsec hacking group. Cleary was jailed for 32 months, Davis for ...