Have you tried travelling from the North West to essex?
Train is 2 hours (quickest service) to London, plus a 45 min transfer across London (realistic for people unfamiliar with the city) and then a 30-60 min train ride out. So really its 4+ hours minimum public transport.
Drive? Easily 5+ hours with traffic to consider and the M25, M6/M1 nightmare ...
Not all routes are about going to the city centre of London you know ...