Monday 17 Oct 2011
IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY AT LEICESTER STATION
- Region & Route:
Passengers at Leicester are set for a lighter, brighter entrance to the station after Network Rail and East Midlands Trains complete improvements.
Listed building consent was recently received to complete the works inside the port cochere and contractors are already on site.
Martin Frobisher, Network Rail route director, said: “These improvements will bring real benefits for passengers. First job is to renew the roof on the station and port cochere, then we move on to improve the flow of traffic through the port cochere and create a pedestrian concourse. We believe at the end of the scheme we will have a more welcoming station which is better for all users.”
This scheme will be finished by Summer 2012.
East Midlands Trains will also be completing works to refurbish the stairs to the platforms and the main station footbridge as well as installing a new canopy to cover the stairs and overbridge to the car park.
David Horne, Commercial & Customer Service Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “We welcome the changes at Leicester and look forward to working with Network Rail to deliver these significant improvements to the station.”
Access to the main station building will be maintained throughout the work and diversion routes will be clearly signed.
Notes to editors
There is no reduction in disabled parking however this will have to be temporarily relocated from the port cochere to the long-stay car park while the work is carried out.
The works will cost approx £3.5m; a combination of National Stations Improvement Programme (DfT) and Renewals Funding from Network Rail
Network Rail has worked closely with East Midlands Trains and Leicester Council to agree the final design/layout. Network Rail is in the process of discharging the conditions placed upon the listed building consent for the ground works within the port cochere before works start on that phase of the improvements.
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