East Midlands Railway and Transport UK unveil exciting and modern new home for its Lincoln staff
• New purpose-built staff accommodation opens in Lincoln
• EMR and Transport UK demonstrate long-term investment in the region with a 15-year lease
• Station House marks the completion of a decade-long regeneration project, while enabling EMR to expand services across the Lincolnshire region and beyond
East Midlands Railway(EMR) and Transport UK has officially opened Station House, a new, purpose-built accommodation for its Lincoln train crew and drivers.
The development supports EMR’s growing operations in the region, following a 52% increase in staffing levels in 2021 with the introduction of the Barton-on-Humber route.
Designed with longevity and sustainability in mind, Station House has capacity for up to 150 colleagues and currently supports 113 staff members. The building features solar panels and energy-efficient systems throughout.
The new facility includes modern changing areas, storage, break spaces, meeting rooms, dedicated training suites and flexible workspaces, providing improved connectivity and resources aligned with EMR’s wider operational standards.
Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said: "This fantastic, purpose-built building not only provides modern, high-quality spaces for our teams, but also frees up prime areas within Lincoln station for future customer improvements.
"This investment reflects our commitment to Lincoln and its local economy, as well as our ambition to upskill and retain talent across Lincolnshire. It’s great that our colleagues now have access to the modern facilities and training spaces they need, right in the heart of the city, undoubtedly delivering positive economic benefits to the surrounding area and local businesses.”
The opening aligns with the introduction of EMR’s December timetable, providing a modern, purpose-designed space for staff as the business continues to strengthen operations across Lincolnshire.
The new timetable will see 2,000 extra seats on EMR services to and from Lincoln on a weekday, and over 3,000 extra seats on a Saturday, in addition to enhanced connectivity across the region.
Lincoln driver Stephen Lewis said: “I’m really looking forward to moving into the new train crew accommodation.
"It’s a big step forward for us at the depot, and the new digital displays and training facilities will make a real difference to how we work day to day. It’s great to see continued investment in both staff facilities and the future of the railway.”
Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, officially opened the new building.
She said: “This is a great investment in Lincolnshire and shows East Midlands Railway’s commitment to the county.
I will be working in the near future on how we take transport forward in Lincolnshire, and we are proud that EMR is a close partner in this endeavour.”
Station House forms a central element of the city’s Cornhill Gateway project, led by Lincolnshire Co-op. The former building on the site was demolished and replaced with a contemporary four-storey development opposite the station, creating an improved and attractive gateway to the city for rail passengers.
EMR has taken a 15-year lease on the building, demonstrating its long-term commitment to Lincoln and the wider region.
Sam Heathershaw, Development Manager at Lincolnshire Co-op, said: “Completion of this new four-storey office building and the restoration of two adjacent retail units marks the culmination of a decade of regeneration within the Cornhill Quarter.
"From our first discussions in 2021, we saw the opportunity to create a landmark building for a respected organisation like East Midlands Railway, and we are delighted to welcome them as our tenant. We hope the facility serves railway staff well for many years to come.”