DOZENS of businesses were on hand to listen to how major train changes in south Essex could benefit them.

The Essex Chambers of Commerce hosted its “Thoroughly Thurrock Networking Twilight” event, at Orsett Hall.

It saw guest speaker was Dan Gierhart, of Transport for London, speak about the Elizabeth Line, formerly Crossrail, which will be fully up and running by December 2019.

Mr Gierhart added that the line will increase central London’s rail capacity, carrying over half a million passengers per day, to keep pace with the city’s growing population, which is set to rise from 8.6 million today to around 10 million by 2030.

The meeting also gave businesses a chance to network with each other and discuss challenges facing companies. For more information, visit the Transport for London website.