Coventry growth on track as railway station plans approved
COVENTRY & Warwickshire LEP has welcomed plans for the redevelopment of the city’s railway station.
The £82m proposals, supported by the LEP’s Growth Deal, received the go ahead from city councillors yesterday.
Jonathan Browning, chairman of the Coventry & Warwickshire LEP, said: “Coventry station and the station quarter is a key transport interchange and it is essential that it is able to cope with current and future growth in traffic which is why we have supported the initiative through the Growth Deal.
“The smooth and efficient movement of people across the area is key to driving productivity, and this scheme is designed to ensure that we are well linked to the wider transport infrastructure.
“This expanded project, which the CWLEP has helped fund, is one of several in Coventry city centre which will attract investment and further employment, and boost the wider area.”
The scope of the station’s redevelopment has been expanded to ensure that the new facility is capable of dealing with increased passenger volumes.
As a consequence of this, the total cost of the project has increased to £82.4m, which includes an £11.8m contingency as part of good practice.
A report to yesterday’s full council meeting said: “The Coventry Station Masterplan will deliver extra capacity, accessibility and a better first impression of Coventry.”
Measures proposed as part of the redevelopment include:
• a second footbridge connecting al four platforms and extended roof canopies;
• a second station entrance building, facing outwards onto Warwick Road and providing step free access to platforms;
• a 644-space multi-storey car park;
• a bus interchange connected directly to the station building via a new access tunnel under Warwick Road;
• highway improvements; and
• a bay platform
The highways improvements will provide the infrastructure required to deliver the city’s Friargate Masterplan and make provision for future rapid transport services via the railway station.
