MP for South Leicestershire, Alberto Costa recently met with rail bosses from CrossCountry Trains to discuss their ongoing commitment to services at Narborough Train Station, following the franchise being awarded a new three-year contract to continue their long-distance operations across the UK.
In meeting with Richard Jones, Regional Director for CrossCountry, and David Jones, Stakeholder Liaison Manager, Alberto welcomed CrossCountry’s new three-year contract and raised issues on behalf of constituents regarding increased train capacity at peak times and the long-standing calls for a ticket machine on the station platform.
The meeting comes as work continues at the train station to refurbish and strengthen the passenger footbridge; the £800,000 works being carried out by Network Rail are due finish soon, with a small reopening ceremony planned, subject to lockdown restrictions.
Alberto said, “I was very pleased to meet with Richard and David from CrossCountry Trains and of course delighted to hear of their enthusiasm in the franchise’s ongoing commitment to operating rail services from Narborough. As the only station in my constituency, Narborough is a vitally important part of the local and regional infrastructure, and with approximately 400,000 passengers using the station every year, it’s crucial that a good level of service continues to be provided by the operator, and that my constituents have an efficient, affordable rail service on their doorstep”.
Mr John Harrison, Chair of the Friends of Narborough Station (FONS), added, “Despite Covid-19, 2020 had been a good year for FONS. He was pleased that the seemingly unloved Signal Box had been painted and the Station Footbridge had been completely refurbished this year. More needs to done in 2021 and we look forward to receiving the continuing support from Alberto, Cross Country, East Midlands Railway, Network Rail, Blaby District Council and our Stakeholder, Narborough Parish Council."
Alberto concluded, “Increased seating capacity and an ease of accessing tickets are two priorities for passengers at Narborough, and I was pleased to hear that CrossCountry, and East Midlands Railway (EMR) who operate the station itself, are committed to addressing both of these issues. I have been informed that extra carriages will be added to peak services and that EMR hope to have a ticket machine installed on the platform in the new year, both of which will be hugely beneficial to my constituents and others who frequent the station. I welcome too the very good working relationship CrossCountry have the Friends of Narborough Station (FONS) group – FONS’ excellent work is vital to the ongoing use and preservation of the station and so I look forward to this continuing moving forward”.
Alberto is pictured above meeting Richard Jones, Regional Director, and David Jones, Stakeholder Liaison Manager, for CrossCountry Trains.
