A FORMER railway worker has won a competition to name a new road near Braintree Station.

Wayne Claydon from Braintree won the contest run by Colne Housing Association to name an access road for a development.

The housing association invited residents to suggest a name for the new access road to the former Crossman House site off Station Approach, where more than 21 affordable homes are under construction.

Wayne worked as a ticket office supervisor in the station for 34 years.

His brothers both worked as steam train drivers and drove trains from Braintree to Witham.

Wayne said he felt honoured and excited his entry was chosen.

He said: "Great Eastern Close was because the land in question and surrounding area was acquired by Great Eastern Railway for the extension of the line.

"This was from Braintree to Bishops Stortford and opened in October 1869.

"It has sadly long gone but would have been a massive asset today as it passed what is now Stansted Airport."

The housing association is working with Iceni Homes and Braintree District Council to build the one and two-bed apartments on the Crossman House site, a former Essex County Council office block which was demolished last November.

Housing association director Helen Gregory said: “We thought the new street name was absolutely perfect and we congratulate Wayne for keeping Braintree’s railway history alive."

The homes are being offered at affordable rents to local residents on Braintree District Council’s housing register after the site was acquired with a £325,000 grant from the council, supported by a £360,000 grant from the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency.

Braintree councillor Lynette Bowers-Flint, responsible for housing and planning, said: “There is a great need for affordable housing in the district.

"It is crucial the council works with housing associations like Colne to meet this need.

"I look forward to seeing people from the district move into their new homes later this year.”

Colne manages more than 3,000 homes in Essex including in Braintree, Witham, Maldon, and Chelmsford.

The development will be fully completed this autumn.