ðɪ ˈɛlbˈɜː hæd wˈɪʃt tʊ ɛkstˈɛnd ɪts tɹˈeɪnz təwˈɔːɹdz stɹˈætfɚd, bˌʌt ɹᵻlˈeɪʃənz wɪððɪ ˈiːstɚn kˈaʊntiz ɹˈeɪlweɪ wɜː pˈʊɹ ænd ðeɪ wʊd nˌɑːt ɐlˈaʊ ɐ fˈɪzɪkəl dʒˈʌŋkʃən təbi kənstɹˈʌktᵻd.
The LBER had wished to extend its trains towards Stratford, but relations with the Eastern Counties Railway were poor and they would not allow a physical junction to be constructed.