Delayed station upgrade looks like 'cattle market'

Delayed work on a revamp of Skegness Railway Station will mean another season without a "wow factor" for the town, a local councillor has said.

The £3.3m upgrade at the railway station restarted last week after an 11-month delay caused by a contractor pulling out.

The work has been criticised for having temporary barriers which look like a "cattle market".

East Midlands Railway said work restarting was a "significant milestone" and that the delay was caused by "various legal and contractual complexities to address" after the first contractor pulled out.

East Midlands Railway said the renovations include "essential works" including roof repairs and new fire and security equipment.

Once complete, the improvements will provide enhanced facilities for customers, including new waiting areas, accessible toilets, Changing Places facilities, and parent and baby amenities, the rail operator said.

The work is due to be finished before the end of 2026.

The 11-month delay was criticised by the Skegness Accommodation Network Development group (SAND) which represents hoteliers and hospitality businesses.

Bob Walker, chairman of SAND, said it was "a mad situation" considering "the amount of money put in there and that it's taken so long to do anything".

He said the project had "been handled very badly".

"When it's a busy time it looks like a cattle market in the station because they put all these barriers up people have to wander through to get to their train. It's crazy," he added.

Mr Walker said tourists visiting the town "don't get a very good impression at all".

"There are all these hoardings up, they look to one side... and all you can see is bags of concrete and various other materials."

According to website railwaydata, the number of people using Skegness Railway Station has risen in the last 6 years.

In 2018-2019, 350,864 people used the station, 397,520 people used it in 2024-2025.

Chris Baron, chairman of the Connected Coast board, which distributed government money to pay for the project, said he was pleased the project would finish in the near future.

"I am grateful for people's patience during this project, which will transform the station, bringing better facilities and an improved experience for both local people and visitors alike," he added.

"These works will ensure Skegness has a station to be proud of."

Councillor Danny Brookes, who also runs an ice cream shop in the town, said "it's disappointing it's taken this long".

"It's not a good look for the town, I know they're getting on with it, but it's going to be two seasons where visitors are seeing the station in this state.

"It's another season without the wow factor that Skegness deserves," he added.

"They've let Skegness down, as usual Skegness is the end of the line."

Noting that work is restarting, he said "hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel now."

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