In June 1985, the UK Parliament approved the expansion of the airport, and in November 1985, British Rail submitted a proposal for a rail link to the airport,[3] which included a new double-track branch line connecting to the West Anglia Main Line, north of Stansted Mountfitchet station (which at the time was called Stansted railway station).

[4] The line included a bored tunnel under the airport's runway, designed by Sir William Halcrow & Partners, and built by John Murphy Ltd.[5][6] Construction began in 1988, and the branch was completed in 1991 at a cost of £44 million.

[6] It became fully operational following its inauguration by Queen Elizabeth II, who travelled on the first Stansted Express service from London Liverpool Street.

[7] Stansted Airport railway station is situated in a concrete box structure at ground level, directly beneath the terminal building, with the western end of the platforms which left open.

With the planned introduction of the contactless travel payment option pending, gated ticket barriers are expected to be installed.