Southend Train Naming Celebrates University Links

National Express East Anglia and the University of Essex will be celebrating the University’s contribution to Southend-on-Sea and the county of Essex on Tuesday 13 October 2009 when the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan names a train ‘University of Essex’ in a ceremony at Southend Victoria station at 10.30am.

The naming of the Class 321 electric train will recognise the significance of the University of Essex as a seat of learning in the county and the important role it plays in the life of towns like Southend. The train naming also reflects the importance of the University to the wider community in Essex and likewise National Express, as the train operator in the east of England, is proud to play its part in linking the campuses together and in providing transport to the University’s students and staff.

The ‘University of Essex’ Class 321 train will serve many of the key stations in Essex including Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester, Harwich and Southend Victoria.

Commenting on the train naming, Andrew Goodrum, Customer Service Director, National Express East Anglia said: “We are delighted to play our part in recognising the significant contribution the University of Essex makes to the county-wide community. Both National Express and the University are proud to serve the people of Essex and this train naming will help to raise, still further, the status of the University throughout Essex and beyond.”      

University of Essex Vice-Chancellor Colin Riordan said: “As we approach our 50th anniversary the development of our Southend campus truly demonstrates the University of Essex’s commitment to the economic, educational and cultural life of the region.

“Our Gateway building, the conversion of the Clifftown Studios and the provision of purpose-built student accommodation has now transformed Southend into a university town. We are grateful that National Express has recognised this contribution and chosen to name a train the ‘University of Essex’.”