Leicester Station Gateway Project

[38Cto15E]

Many months ago National Rail announced they were giving Leicester Station £17,500,000 to build a new main station entrance under the banner of "Leicester Station Gateway Project", since then the Parcel yard pub and a Taxi office have been demolished with the area boarded off.
The project appears to have come to a halt, it would be rather nice if passengers arrived at Leicester in a new train (810) and then exited the station via a new main entrance.

 

[station_road]

The £17.5m was coming from a central government grant and is being overseen by Leicester City Council - the initial invitation to tender in 2024 only got one response, and has gone back out to the market with a possible 3 year timeline starting in Spring 2026

https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/...ect-after-earlier-tender-collapse-09-05-2025/

Leicester City Council has launched a fresh search for a contractor to deliver a major overhaul of Leicester station after a previous tender failed to attract competitive interest.

The authority is seeking bids for a redevelopment project aimed at transforming the historic gateway into a modern transport hub and public destination.

The contract will run for an estimated three years and six months, from April 2026 to October 2029, with a possible extension of one year.

Speaking in January, city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby described the lack of bidders as “very disappointing” and attributed the outcome to widespread capacity constraints across the industry.

He said: “There are a lot of projects out there, but not enough companies to do them.”

The £22m scheme is jointly funded by Leicester City Council and government grants.

 

[Shred Metal]

Interesting that there aren’t ‘enough’ companies available to bid on this.. but also that the one bid either wasn’t good enough or can’t be accepted on ‘lack of competition’ grounds.

 

[duffield]

Interesting that there aren’t ‘enough’ companies available to bid on this.. but also that the one bid either wasn’t good enough or can’t be accepted on ‘lack of competition’ grounds.

I wonder if they only get the same bid next time if they will be able to accept it or if it will drag on further?

 

[1D54]

I wonder if they only get the same bid next time if they will be able to accept it or if it will drag on further?

I use the station daily and it can drag on for ever for all i care. Yes, the plans look lovely but it is all a complete waste of money unless something is done about the people who hang around the place.

 

[londonmidland]

No doubt this will come from a ‘separate pot of money’ but I’d rather the time and effort be spent on capacity improvements at ground level, including additional platforms, improved track layouts and electrification.

 

[Mag_seven]

No doubt this will come from a ‘separate pot of money’ but I’d rather the time and effort be spent on capacity improvements at ground level, including additional platforms, improved track layouts and electrification.

Thread unlocked for an update from @InTheEastMids

 

[45Fox]

Leicestershire Live (website of the Leicester Mercury newspaper) is reporting that work is to restart again soon but are a bit sketchy on details.

I'll post any updates and/or links when I can.

 

[bib]

Budget boost to get railway station revamp back on track

LEICESTER City Council has been given the go-ahead to reallocate almost £10 million of Government funding to help ensure that a radical revamp of Leicester’s historic railway station goes ahead.

news.leicester.gov.uk

LEICESTER City Council has been given the go-ahead to allocate almost £10 million of Government funding to help ensure that a radical revamp of Leicester’s historic railway station goes ahead.

The railway station scheme is a high priority for the Department for Transport, and it has agreed to transfer £9.95 million of the £12.15 million of Levelling Up funding originally awarded to the St Margaret’s junction scheme.

Under the new funding agreement, the railway station project will now receive financial backing totalling £27.5 million from the Levelling Up Fund, and key improvements to the St Margaret’s junction, one of the city’s busiest, will still go ahead.

The Department for Transport and EMR are also considering the city council's proposal that they make an additional £5 million investment available to further enhance the development opportunity and the passenger experience.

The city council’s previously confirmed contribution of £5 million will remain unchanged.

The council plans to appoint a main development partner early in the new year, following a tender exercise due to be launched this summer.

So AIUI the budget is now up ~45% to £32.5m, of possibly £37m if DfT/EMR want to get involved. No contractor appointed yet though.

 

[InTheEastMids]

Budget boost to get railway station revamp back on track

LEICESTER City Council has been given the go-ahead to reallocate almost £10 million of Government funding to help ensure that a radical revamp of Leicester’s historic railway station goes ahead.

news.leicester.gov.uk

So AIUI the budget is now up ~45% to £32.5m, of possibly £37m if DfT/EMR want to get involved. No contractor appointed yet though.

BBC were reporting the same, hence I asked to reopen but thank you for posting this.

The previous procurement failed to appoint a contractor.

 

[38Cto15E]

I have an idea that the powers that be wanted to create a station frontage similar to Sheffield where people can sit down for snack, do some shopping at M&S etc, it is a very nice area leading out into the City.

However, at Leicester, when the new station frontage is open the footfall into the present station frontage will be somewhat limited as it will only be for passengers going up London Road and not into the City Centre.

 

[cats_five]

I have an idea that the powers that be wanted to create a station frontage similar to Sheffield where people can sit down for snack, do some shopping at M&S etc, it is a very nice area leading out into the City.

However, at Leicester, when the new station frontage is open the footfall into the present station frontage will be somewhat limited as it will only be for passengers going up London Road and not into the City Centre.

I take it you mean south from the station, as north - up London Road - is the way to the centre.

 

[1D54]

I take it you mean south from the station, as north - up London Road - is the way to the centre.

That would be Granby Street to the centre as London Road starts practically outside the station.

 

[sharpley]

They certainly need a bigger gateline for entry and exit if nothing else. Can get very congested when there are only 5 gates to exit and enter

 

[Mikw]

Isn't it a shame this can't be spent on electrification? Different pot and all that but....

 

[londonmidland]

The concourse and ticket barrier area certainly need opening up, as it is always very congested. Particularly at peak times.

Certainly a poor contrast when compared to Nottingham, for example, with its big open spaces both upstairs and downstairs.

 

[cats_five]

That would be Granby Street to the centre as London Road starts practically outside the station.

Of course it would, shame on me as I used to live in a flat over a shop on it!

 

[Mordac]

Of course it would, shame on me as I used to live in a flat over a shop on it!

Did you come from Greece and have a thirst for knowledge?

 

[cats_five]

Did you come from Greece and have a thirst for knowledge?

Que?

 

[duffield]

Que?

The answer lies in the lyrics of "Common People" by Pulp.

 

[cats_five]

The answer lies in the lyrics of "Common People" by Pulp.

I've never knowingly heard anything by them

 

[InTheEastMids]

The answer lies in the lyrics of "Common People" by Pulp.

I've never knowingly heard anything by them

The bare minimum to get the thread heading in the general direction of topic would be to at bring in Kasabian or Englebert Humperdinck (both from Leicester).

Isn't it a shame this can't be spent on electrification? Different pot and all that but....

Even if it were possible, this investment would probably only get you from Wigston South to Wigston North Junctions

The concourse and ticket barrier area certainly need opening up, as it is always very congested. Particularly at peak times.

Certainly a poor contrast when compared to Nottingham, for example, with its big open spaces both upstairs and downstairs.

Being absolutely determined to get us back on topic and avoid the ire of the Moderators, the plan is to increase the gate line to 15, as mentioned in this rather good YouTube video from EMR. Train service might have descended into chaos, but their social media manager is 10/10.