Restoration of Leicester train station supported with over £17 million Levelling Up funding
Leicester train station is the gateway to the city. The culturally significant building was built in 1894 but is now in need of investment. Over £17 million from the Levelling Up Fund will return the station to its Victorian glory.
The vision is for the station to make “a major contribution to Leicester’s prosperity and supports the national levelling-up agenda”.
The Board behind this plan includes:
- Leicester City Council
- Network Rail
- East Midlands Railway
- Cross Country Trains
- Midlands Connect
The funding is made up of three connected elements.
Entrance improvements
The entrance on Station Street will be made more attractive and accessible.
Improvements will include:
- steps from the station leading towards the city centre
- a new ramp.
Refurbished booking hall
Refurbishment of the station booking hall will:
- transform it into a larger and lighter space
- create more room for passengers.
Port Cochere to be home to a new retail outlet
This covered entrance hall on London Road will become a new plaza for shopping and food outlets. Taxis will move to a new location on Station Street.
Leicester Station development will potentially trigger growth
Levelling up Leicester Station will encourage further development to:
- better connect Leicester with other parts of the UK
- create new job opportunities.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said:
The award of almost £18 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund is a tremendous endorsement of the importance of this project. The railway station is a beautiful building but badly in need of improvement to meet the modern needs of a city the size of Leicester. This exciting project will make a huge difference, helping to transform the area into a vibrant gateway that will make a major contribution to Leicester’s prosperity.
Find out more about levelling up.