Coventry Railway Station is now open for business following an impressive £82m transformation bringing many improvements for passengers.
Avanti West Coast has worked on the huge project in partnership with Coventry City Council, Network Rail, other rail operators, Transport for West Midlands, Friargate JV Project Ltd and further stakeholders for the regeneration programme.
The project has seen delivery of a state of the art new-look station building with a distinctive entrance that includes public art. A footbridge is now also available for passengers to reach platforms one to four and is connected to a brand-new multi-story car park which houses 629 parking spaces.
The station's access has seen considerable improvement from Station Square and also on Warwick Road with each entrance now providing access to the new cycle hub, footbridge and station building. An additional entry point is also included under Warwick Road which provides a direct access tunnel connecting the station to the new transport interchange.
The station's concourse area now includes 5 retail units, waiting rooms and toilets. New lifts have also been installed for passengers alongside a secure cycle hub and electric vehicle charging points.
Local artists Charis Esther and Luisa Freitas have created a ‘Welcome to Coventry' sign which was created involving dozens of community groups, charities and schools who created embroidery work to create the mural at the station. Further artwork will also be revealed later in 2022.
Facilities outside the station have also undergone improvements and include a new pedestrian boulevard and information pod which will support visitors arriving at the city. Station Square also features a vehicle drop-off area for passengers and 20 minutes of free parking will also be included in the new multi-storey car park to enable the pick-up of passengers.
The Coventry Station Masterplan project has seen funding of £39.4m 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) alongside funding from Coventry City Council.
Councillor Jim O'Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council and CWLEP board director, said: “I am pleased that we are finally able to welcome people to the new extension of our transformed railway station. The new build sits alongside the original station which will celebrate its 60th birthday this year – another fine example of how we are combining the best of the old with the best of the new.
“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.”
Tony Minhas, CWLEP board director, said: “It has been great to watch the transformation take place and we now have a railway station which will showcase the city and the region to visitors from across the UK and the world especially during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games this summer.
“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.”
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is also investing in the broader regeneration of Coventry which will see improvements such as the WM On Demand bus service, All-Electric Bus City scheme and includes the recent refurbishment of Pool Meadow Bus Station.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “It is great to see the railway station open after all the hard work which has gone into its development. It is a fitting gateway for the city and I am pleased we have been able to play our part in making it happen.”
Natasha Grice, Executive Director Stations at Avanti West Coast, said: “The new-look station will transform the experience of customers heading to the city by rail. I've been watching excitedly as the new station has taken shape and I can't wait to see the reaction of our passengers when they arrive at Coventry as we look forward to welcoming more visitors to the city in the coming months.”
The station's opening is just in time for the 60th anniversary of the opening of the existing Grade II listed station back in 1962 and a celebratory event is in the planning and is set to take place later this spring.
Very nice work West Midlands Trains and Network Rail. Coventry railway station looks so much better.