Firm's partnership with rail operator stays on track

Under the terms of the new deal, which takes the partnership through to 2013, LSH will continue to provide services including lettings, acquisitions and disposals, rent reviews, lease renewals, and financial management and accounting, as well as the design, procurement and project management of station redevelopments and commercial investment schemes.

The work applies to Northern Rail's entire property portfolio, which encompasses 462 stations across the North of England, spanning the Midlands up to the Scottish border. The overall portfolio covers stations of all sizes, from Manchester Victoria, with 20,000 passengers each day, to small rural halts.

One of the development opportunities introduced across the portfolio by LSH is the negotiation of a contract with vending services provider Selecta to install vending machines on station platforms.

Paul Barnett, transport director at LSH's Leeds office, said: "Being awarded an extension to this extremely significant contract reflects our continued focus on service delivery and builds on our growing reputation as the leading provider of transport consultancy services."

Jamie Burles, commercial director at Northern Rail, said: "We provide 2,500 local and regional train services every weekday, serving a population of nearly 15m passengers. LSH is a trusted partner whose high quality and robust advice has... helped us to enhance our stations to deliver more for our customers."