CROSSRAIL has agreed to push back the start date for work in Brentwood and Shenfield...just two weeks after announcing it would be starting in January.

The move comes after expressions of concern and frustration by Brentwood Council over plans to bring the schedule forward by six months, as revealed by the Weekly News.

Barry Aspinell, the leader of Brentwood Council, said he had been "frustrated" that Crossrail had announced its intention to start works on the track between Brentwood and Shenfield early, with the authority only having been given two months notice.

He added that concerns over routes lorries would be taking still hadn't been addressed.

In a letter, Terry Morgan, the chairman of Crossrail, said: "I thought it would be helpful to clarify the arrangements that will be put in place.

"Having listened to the concerns of the Council and spoken with Eric Pickles MP, I am also keenly aware of the need to provide good quality information on how construction will take place and to ensure that it is provided in good time to allow proper consideration.

"We recently proposed to undertake some vegetation and tree clearance work on the railway embankment next to Friars Avenue car park in January 2015, which will require three car park spaces, followed by the set up of a work site in part of the car park by March, and to begin construction for a new platform by April 2015.

"I am very keen that we achieve good progress throughout 2015 so that we set ourselves up for delivering key elements of the railway improvements during the railway closures at Christmas 2015 and 2016.

"However, I recognise that planning to start clearance work in January means that issues such as parking arrangements and lorry routes need to be dealt with more quickly. That is why we and Network Rail have now committed to giving the Council more time to consider our construction arrangements, including safe vehicle access, before work starts.

"Over the next few weeks we will be working closely with the Council to deal with the outstanding issues as a matter of urgency. I hope the issues can be clarified and resolved so that clearance work can start in February, and the set up of a construction work site by April 2015.

"In the longer term, Crossrail will be good for Brentwood. Crossrail remains on programme and within the funding available to provide new trains and a more reliable and frequent service into the heart of London, ultimately making the area an even more attractive place to live, visit and do business."

Crossrail is one of the biggest infrastructre projects in Europe and will link Shenfied - a terminus - with Reading and Heathrow through a 100km route through central London.

The cost of the project is in the region of £15billion.

At Brentwood station, platforms will be extended for Crossrail and new lifts are being installed under Network Rail’s ‘Access for All’ programme.

At Shenfield, a new bay platform will be constructed and new sidings will be created next to the station.

Both stations will benefit from new signage, help points, customer information screens and CCTV.