£82m transformation of Coventry train station completes
The £82m transformation of Coventry Railway Station has officially been completed, which coincides with the 60-year anniversary of the opening of the existing Grade II listed station in 1962.
The Coventry Station Masterplan project has been funded by £39.4 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority Devolution Deal and £27.5 million from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) and funds from Coventry City Council.
Passengers can now use a new footbridge to reach platforms one, two, three and four which is connected to the new multi-storey 629-space car park.
The station can be accessed directly from Station Square, alongside new entrances on Warwick Road with access to a new cycle hub, footbridge and station building.
The concourse areas feature five retail units, waiting rooms and toilets and there are new lifts for passengers to use while a secure cycle hub has been installed along with electric vehicle charging points.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council and CWLEP board director said: “Together, Coventry station is now perfectly equipped to meet the needs of our residents, visitors and businesses. We’ve made improvements that will ensure that the station is an efficient and accessible building for all and one that is set up to match the growing use.
“For many people, the station is the first thing they see upon arriving to Coventry. First impressions count and now this impressive building will give people a warm Coventry welcome. There are improvements for cyclists, pedestrians, drivers and bus users too. All with the aim of encouraging people to choose public transport for some of their journeys.”
A mural has formed at the station with an embroidered ‘Welcome to Coventry’ sign from local artists Charis Esther and Luisa Freitas which has involved dozens of community groups, charities and schools producing artwork.
There are also improved public realm works outside the station including a new pedestrian boulevard and a visitor information pod to help visitors arriving in the city.
A new vehicle drop-off area for passengers has been created in Station Square while there will be 20 minutes free parking in the new multi-storey car park to pick up passengers.
Tony Minhas, CWLEP board director, said: “The new station is also pivotal to our future talent pipeline ensuring the skills our economy needs from apprentices to post-graduates can move around the city and the region.
“The funds from CWLEP have played a vital role in improving the transport infrastructure of the area as well as boosting the local economy, and will make a positive difference for years to come.”
Coventry City Council has worked in partnership with Network Rail, Avanti West Coast and other rail operators, Transport for West Midlands, Friargate JV Project Ltd and other stakeholders on the regeneration programme.
