The station has four platforms, each with an operational length for 10-car Class 720 electric multiple units.

The line from Wickford to Southend, including this station, was opened on 1 October 1889.

[2] The station is managed by Greater Anglia, which also operates all trains serving it.

The typical Monday to Saturday off-peak service is of three trains per hour to Liverpool Street.

The city's other main station is Southend Central, which provides services westbound to London Fenchurch Street and eastbound to Shoeburyness, operated by c2c.