Fresh attempt to kickstart stalled station revamp
Just now
Dan Martin
Leicester political reporter
A fresh attempt to find a contractor to carry out a major revamp of Leicester's railway station is underway.
Leicester City Council is leading a project to refurbish the London Road station but the scheme has been delayed by afailure to find a specialist firmable to do the work.
The authority has now put the contract out to tender againafter earmarking an extra £10mof government money to try to make it more attractive to development companies.
Firms have until 14 December to submit bids and the council said it hoped to award a contract in summer 2027.
Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said he was optimistic a contractor would be secured.
He said the station was "not fit for the 21st century and urgently needed investment".
The council previously said it hoped work would start on the main phase of the revamp in spring 2028, with the aim of completing it in 2030.
Soulsby said: "We are very optimistic that we will now find the right development partner to deliver the bold and ambitious transformation of our historic railway station that is so badly needed.
"The railway station is a landmark building and a gateway to the city but as a vital transport hub, it's just not fit for the 21st century.
"It urgently needs investment and a radical revamp so it can continue to meet the needs of our growing city.
"With a new funding agreement with the government now in place, there is a real determination to make this happen."
The council set out plans to upgrade the Grade II listed Victorian station in 2021 and has so far spent £6.7m on design and preparatory work.
That includedthe demolition of the Parcel Yardpub in 2024.
Officials said the contract to complete the detailed design and construction of the new-look station would be worth £25.9m.
The council said it was working with Network Rail and East Midlands Railway (EMR) on the revamp, which is intended to modernise the station, improve facilities and increase passenger capacity.
Under the plans, the station's main entrance will be moved from London Road to Station Street, which will be closed to traffic and replaced with a new pedestrianised public plaza.
The council said the original façade will be restored to form a new entrance, facing directly towards Granby Street and into the city centre.
The existing glass-roofed entrance hall will be overhauled to provide a space for cafes or shops.
Pick up and drop off points, including for Hackney cabs, will be relocated from inside the station to a new location at the rear of the station, off Fox Street and close to the new entrance.
A new curved ramp, steps and lift will provide access to the entrance, and the number of ticket gates will be increased from six to 15 to reduce passenger queues.
New passenger assistance lounges will also be created.
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