£250,000 upgrade completed at historic Beeston railway station

A £250,000 investment at Beeston station has been completed, delivering a series of upgrades aimed at improving both the passenger experience and the station’s historic surroundings.

East Midlands Railway, which is operated by Transport UK, carried out the works with support from the Railway Heritage Trust. Central to the project was a transformation of the station forecourt, where a former car park has been resurfaced and remodelled to create a fully pedestrianised social space for customers.

As part of the revamp, the station building’s façade was repaired and redecorated, and a dedicated area has been created for station volunteers. New seating and upgraded lighting have been installed, alongside a cycle shelter featuring a green roof.

The scheme also introduced a new garden area, complete with planters and bird nesting boxes. EMR said the planting has been designed to encourage wildlife and improve biodiversity at the station.

The operator worked alongside the Friends of Beeston Station during the planning stages to shape the improvements.

Sarah Hampton, Secretary of the Friends of Beeston Station, said:

"The changes to Beeston station over the past 12 months have been welcomed by the local community. EMR’s recent redesign of the station forecourt has created an attractive public space. The station is going from strength to strength."

Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director at East Midlands Railway, said:

"We are proud of the improvements we have put in place at Beeston station. Not only do they help to improve the general environment for customers, making it more pleasant and welcoming, but we have also worked closely with stakeholders to include things they wanted to see – such as cycling facilities and wildlife-friendly planters."

Tim Hedley-Jones, Executive Director of The Railway Heritage Trust said:

"We are pleased to have supported with a grant these works by East Midlands Railway to the forecourt and façade of Grade II Beeston Station. It is the earliest surviving example of a station building by the Midland Railway dating from 1847, and was built in a signature style that became common across their network."

Image: East Midlands Railway