Wickford news
Wickford news, newest first, from Basildon Today: planning, roads, schools, business and what's on in Wickford, with every story linked to its source.
Top story
Wickford Co-op Site: Lidl Named as Supermarket in Talks
Lidl is the supermarket in talks for the empty former Co-op site in Wickford town centre, Basildon Council minutes say. A supermarket only, with no flats.
More stories
Planning
Basildon Planning: 16 Homes Proposed Around Ramsden Crays
Seven homes off Corner Road and nine at Pipps Hill Farm lead 30 new Basildon applications. Plus a Laindon drive-through refit and a Wickford showroom demolition.
Wickford
Wickford Named Anglia in Bloom Essex Champion for 2026
Wickford is Anglia in Bloom's Essex Champion for 2026, with Gold for the town and Memorial Park. Two years ago it was a Silver Gilt newcomer.
Planning
Basildon Planning Applications: 8 Homes at Bowers Gifford
27 applications validated in Basildon borough this week: eight homes at Bowers Gifford, a change to the Billericay 130-homes deal and a listed hall's roof.
Christmas
Santa's Grotto in Basildon 2026: Eastgate Free From 14 November
Eastgate's free Santa's grotto opens on Saturday 14 November; the town centre has a grotto that day too. Barleylands' paid visits run 28 Nov to Christmas Eve.
Remembrance
Remembrance Sunday in Basildon 2026: Sunday 8 November
Remembrance Sunday is 8 November 2026. Last year the borough held six services, from Billericay High Street at 10am to Laindon War Memorial at 3pm. Times.
Billericay
Basildon Fireworks 2026: Billericay 7 November, Basildon 6 November, Both On Sale
Billericay fireworks 2026 at Lake Meadows: Saturday 7 November, gates 5pm, display 7.30pm, from £9. Basildon's display is Friday 6 November, advance only.
Basildon
Basildon Christmas Lights 2026: 14 Nov, Fireworks at 6pm
Basildon at Christmas is Saturday 14 November, 10am to a 6pm fireworks finale. Wickford lights up on 19 November; Billericay switches on at 5.30pm on the 26th.
Billericay
Basildon Christmas Market: Bavarian 14 Nov, Billericay 6 Dec
Basildon's Bavarian market is 14 November; Billericay Christmas Market is Sunday 6 December, 11am to 5pm, High Street shut. Plus Barleylands and Wickford.
Trains
Wickford Derailment: Train Was Doing 77mph, RAIB Confirms
The RAIB has opened an investigation into the Wickford derailment. Its first account puts 62 people on board, a kink in the track, and 1.5 miles run on sleepers.
Trains
Basildon Trains Slower From 25 August as Clay Dries Out
c2c journeys from Basildon, Laindon and Pitsea run up to eight minutes longer from 25 August. Billericay and Wickford follow on 1 September. Here is why.
Trains
Wickford Derailment: Line Reopened After 12 Days Shut
The line through Wickford reopened on 26 August, 12 days after the derailment. Southminster buses run to 28 August. What happened, and what still is not normal.