£82m redevelopment of railway station takes step forward
Coventry’s heritage and its future will be reflected in new public art which is set to be unveiled as part of the £82m redevelopment of Coventry Station.
The major infrastructure programme, which is set to be completed later this year, will feature vinyl artwork on the main concourse windows of the existing station by artist Christopher Tipping.
A new embroidered ‘Welcome to Coventry’ sign from local artists Charis Esther and Luisa Freitas which has involved dozens of community groups producing embroidery work will form a mural at the station.
There will also be a nature-inspired parklet which will provide architectural seating and planting on platform one which is being delivered by Creative Giants.
In addition, work is about to start on a refurbishment programme for the existing Grade II listed railway station building.
The refurbishment works are being managed by Avanti West Coast, with funding from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), Rail Heritage Trust and Coventry City Council.
There will be a deep clean of roof lights on platform one, refurbishment of heritage mural wall tiles, anti-slip treatment of the original flooring, new signage on the station façade, and the ‘Welcome to Coventry’ sign on platform four will be replaced.
The project team is working with the Rail Heritage Trust which has contributed towards the refurbishment of the building’s heritage features.
Tony Minhas, CWLEP board director, said: “There is a tremendous amount of work going on to improve Coventry Station which will lead to a vastly-improved building and surroundings for passengers.
“Transforming infrastructure and laying the foundations for a green, sustainable future are among the key priorities of the CWLEP’s Strategic Reset Framework.
“The completion of the Coventry Station project will support Coventry and Warwickshire’s green recovery and this infrastructure project will have a key part to play in welcoming visitors to the city throughout the UK City of Culture.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the public art as well since it will fit in perfectly with all the related activities taking part in the area over the next 12 months.”
Councillor David Welsh, cabinet member for housing and communities at Coventry City Council, said: “I’m really pleased that we are adding some temporary art at the original station building. The art on the big glazing panels will look good by day and night and its packed with lots of images from the city’s past and present.
“It will have real impact and it’s another fine example of how art can be integrated into spaces and places for our year as City of Culture and beyond.”
