South Hornchurch residents and visitors have been encouraged to have their say in a new survey about the proposed Beam Park station, which has been further delayed.

This consultation, launched by Havering Council, comes as the building of the train station is set to be put back until at least the end of 2027.

The Beam Park station would link the massive housing development, which sits in between Dagenham and Rainham, with central London.

The station is earmarked to lie between Dagenham Dock and Rainham stations along the c2c line.

Havering Council said it has been "actively advocating" for the construction of the new station, and will continue to lobby the new government about the "significant benefits" it will bring to residents and workers in this area.

READ MORE: Central Park, London's newest park opens in Beam Park, Rainham

A spokesperson for the council said: "Havering Council will lobby the new government and support the Greater London Authority (GLA) in its promotion of a new railway station in Beam Park, which will be located onto the existing c2c railway line.

"The council recognises the significant benefits this new station will bring to residents and workers in the area.

"We hope this new government will see the benefits too."

They added that this new consultation aims to help "understand current travel habits" so the council can "make informed decisions" that will support the community. 

Almost 4,000 new homes are earmarked for the Beam Park development, which was once a Ford factory site. 

But 1,572 of these homes can only be built once the station is open to the public, under a condition in the planning consent designed to ensure residents have access to public transport connections.

Beam Park station has been planned since 2002 and received planning permission in 2019.

This paper first reported in October 2021 that the station project had been thrown into doubt.

At the time, the Department for Transport said it wanted to "be held immune" from the financial risk posed by the scheme.

A government minister said in the same year in a letter that it had never supported the station scheme, despite a multi-million pound commitment from the GLA.

City Hall has now confirmed the completion date for the station's ticket hall has now been pushed back to December 31, 2027.

A spokesperson for City Hall said: "As part of the development agreement between GLA [Greater London Authority] and Countryside Partnerships, Countryside is required to build the station ticket hall to shell and core.

"Due to delays in unlocking the delivery of the station, the date by which Countryside must complete the ticket hall therefore needed to be deferred."

They added that the GLA remains "committed to finding a way forward for the station".

READ MORE: Louise Haigh visits Beam Park as Labour urges station action

Developers Countryside and L&Q have backed the "timely delivery" of the station, calling it "the right course of action for the area's development and overall community wellbeing".

Newly-elected Dagenham and Rainham MP Margaret Mullane has made it clear that one of her priorities is to ensure the Beam Park station is delivered.

She said she is setting up a meeting with the London deputy mayor for transport Seb Dance to check on its progress.

As part of the consultation, Havering Council is holding several drop-in sessions across July to gain residents' input that will "help shape the future of transportation in the area".

For the specific dates and times of these events, as well as to access the online survey, visit consultation.havering.gov.uk/planning/beam-park-station-travel-survey/.

Barking and Dagenham Council was contacted for comment but did not respond.