Basildon is well connected to London through three railway stations.
Railway service started in the 19th century to Pitsea (1856) and Laindon (1888) but it was only later that proposals to provide service to the new town of Basildon, shelved for many years because of concerns that it would simply become a commuter suburb of London, were eventually forced through
In terms of local politics, Basildon District elects five councillors to Essex County Council

