| Town | Population (2011 census) | Railway station closed |
| Dudley | 79,379 | 1964 |
| Gosport | 71,529 | 1953 |
| Newcastle-under-Lyme | 75,082 | 1964 |
| Washington | 67,085 | 1964 |
The largest town in England without a train station is Chelmsford, located in Essex. With a population of more than 111,000 people, Chelmsford is the only town in the country with a population over 100,000 that does not have a train station. The closest station is located in the nearby town of Witham, about six miles away.
Chelmsford’s lack of a train station is due to its location. The town is situated between two train lines, the Great Eastern Main Line to the north and the Southminster Branch Line to the south. Neither of these lines have a station in Chelmsford, so the town is unable to access the national railway network.
Despite this, Chelmsford still has good transport links. The town has a bus station and is served by multiple bus routes, connecting it to towns and cities in Essex and beyond. The A12, a major road linking London to East Anglia, runs through the town, making it easy to reach other parts of the region. The town also has its own airport, London Southend Airport, which is located just a few miles away.
Despite its lack of a train station, Chelmsford remains a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The town centre has a variety of shops, restaurants and bars and is home to a number of historic buildings, such as the 16th century Chelmsford Cathedral. The town also has a thriving cultural scene, with a variety of music venues, theatres and galleries.
Overall, Chelmsford is a vibrant and thriving town despite its lack of a train station. Thanks to its excellent transport links and variety of attractions, the town is a great place to visit, live and work.
