The public facilities at Market Harborough station are currently being upgraded and are expected to be finished by the end of May.

The old facilities are being demolished and in their place will be a new toilet block, including an accessible toilet and baby changing facility, and a waiting room with seats and a drinking fountain.

These improvements should make waiting for a train a more pleasant experience.

Despite some early challenges, work is now progressing well, but whilst the work is ongoing, the area will be fenced off to allow teams to carry out the work safely, and a clear diversionary route will be in place.

In recent years the station has had a major upgrade with a new accessible footbridge and 200 extra car parking spaces, whilst trains can travel through at a higher speed thanks to the line being relaid with straighter tracks.

Gary Walsh, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Midlands route, said: “I’m so pleased to see this project underway. The new facility is just one element of a whole range of changes we’ve made at Market Harborough to provide a better station for passengers.

“Delays to this project have been frustrating and I hope station users will join me in welcoming this new progress. We’ll continue to work closely with East Midlands Railway to make real improvements that meet the needs of all station users.”

Neil O’Brien OBE, Member of Parliament for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, said: “This is great news, that I know will be welcomed by many constituents. We’ve seen a lot of investment into the station and a number of improvements, and this is another important part of enhancing the passenger experience in Market Harborough.
“I had a very useful meeting at the station recently with Network Rail and East Midland Railway to discuss this and a number of other areas, that I look forward to working with them on to further improve our station.”

Lisa Angus, Transition and Projects Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “We have been working alongside Network Rail to deliver a vastly improved Market Harborough station over the last few years and we’re happy work has begun on the new toilets and waiting room.

“Our passengers have been very patient waiting for the work to start on the new facilities and we would like to thank them for their continued support whilst the improvement works are taking place.”