Chelmsford is the county town and only city of Essex, situated approximately 30 miles north-east of central London. It gained city status in 2012 as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and has a population of around 96,000 in the urban area. The city is best known for its strong historical connection to Guglielmo Marconi and the birth of radio broadcasting, as well as its excellent rail links to London, thriving retail centre, and Chelmsford Cathedral. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the South East, with significant investment in new housing, retail, and leisure developments.