Yahoo News Money for Leicester railway station revamp would be better spent resolving 'pressing needs' of residents, candidate says
The proposed regeneration of Leicester Railway Station does not “address the pressing needs” of city residents, an election candidate has claimed. Shivani Raja, Conservative candidate for Leicester East, believes the £17.6 million of Government cash allocated for the work on the station could be better spent elsewhere.
The £22 million project will transform the covered entrance hall area of the station– known as a port cochère – into a new plaza for shopping, food and drinks. The existing taxi ranks will be moved to nearby Station Street, where the façade of the station will be restored, turning it into the new main entrance – as it was when it was originally built. The street outside the new entrance will also be remodelled with a ramp and steps leading to a large new glazed entrance. Leicester City Council will make up the funding difference from its own pockets.
The money allocated by the Department of Levelling Up is ring-fenced specifically for the scheme, meaning the council currently has to follow through with the work or lose the cash – and the money it has already spent on the plan. However, Ms Raja has written to Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove to request the money be released so it can be spent instead on three other projects based in her constituency of Leicester East.
These include £12.6 million for the revitalisation of Belgrave Road to turn it “into a true Golden Mile” by “enhancing the streetscape”, installing “modern street lighting” and “upgrading” the facades of the businesses in the road. The revitalisation plan would also see “public spaces with cultural installations” created along the road.
Another £3.5 million of the funding should be spent on modernising youth centres in Thurnby Lodge, Troon and Netherhall, Ms Raja said. Finally, she proposed £1.5 million be spent on renovating Daman Hall. The work would include structural repairs, the refurbishment of the interior and improving accessibility, she added.
Ms Raja said: "The proposed redevelopment of Leicester Railway Station, while beneficial, does not address the pressing needs of Leicester East residents. Our community deserves investments that directly enhance our daily lives and create long-term opportunities. The projects I've outlined will rejuvenate our local areas, support our youth, and preserve our cultural heritage. My plan truly aligns with the Levelling Up initiative's spirit."
In her letter to Mr Gove, she added: “While [the station] improvements may enhance the station’s functionality and aesthetics, they do not adequately address the urgent needs of Leicester East residents. Our community would benefit far more from initiatives that directly impact their daily lives and strengthen local cohesion.”
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has previously said the station revamp would “make a huge difference” to the city by creating a “vibrant gateway” for people arriving. He said: “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.”
Councillors have also questioned the deliverability of the scheme and whether – with a General Election looming – the money from the Government would actually be delivered should Labour claim victory at the polls. The concerns were raised at a meeting, held in December, to determine whether the Parcel Yard pub next to the station could be demolished to facilitate the works.
Councillors on the committee were worried they might sign off on the demolition only for the revamp to then not be realised. At that point, the planning application for the wider project had not been submitted.
Councillor Lynn Moore questioned whether the money would still be secure should there be a change of Government. She was told the council could not speculate on that, but money had been offered, a contract signed and £3 million already spent. “The funding is as secure as it can be,” Grant Butterworth, head of planning, said at the time.
