Why the positioning of new cycle pods at Harborough railway station has caused anger

A veteran councillor has slammed the move to put new cycle pods in the front car park at Market Harborough railway station.

Cllr Phil Knowles, who leads the Liberal Democrat group on Harborough District Council, has accused the authority of keeping councillors “in the dark”.

“Having given thousands of pounds towards the scheme, councillors and council officers expected the pods to be positioned on the south bound side of the station.

“But suddenly the pod has appeared on the front car park under permitted development rights.

“As the ward councillor I’ve asked many other councillors and officers, including the CEOs, if the council was consulted about the cycle pods being sited at the front,” the long-serving councillor told the Harborough Mail.

“Did they know? No, they didn’t!”

Cllr Knowles said he’s also asked officers if any special conditions were laid down in exchange for the council backing the blueprint financially.

''People who have called me about it this are far from impressed and I must admit neither am I.

“Why move the original planned site for pods without wide consultation?

“Just because the rail authorities could do it does not mean they should, well not without listening to views,” said the local Liberal Democrat.

“Why did they not speak to ward members?

“Why did they not consult the Civic Society?

“Why not engage in consultation?

“If they had asked my advice on having to move from the anticipated site then it would have been put on the old car park next to the northbound platform – and certainly not where it is now.

“This matter is definitely not closed.

“I want to talk to rail bosses face to face about this whole infuriating issue – and sooner rather than later!”

Cllr Knowlesalso insisted “there are far too many examples of councillors not being told by officers of schemes and issues in their own wards”.

''I have said it before and this time I have said it loud and clear to top officers.

“Officers must automatically tell members what is going on - communication is vital.

“I have even offered to write to all officers directly to underline this should senior officers feel it would help.”

A Harborough council spokesman said: “The cycle store at Market Harborough railway station has been built on operational railway land under permitted development regulations, which means that planning permission from Harborough District Council was not required.”

East Midlands Railway, which operates the busy station at Market Harborough, always planned to site the new cycle shed at the front of the complex, the Mail understands.