The £82 million transformation of Coventry Railway Station has been officially completed and looks very fine.
The major project at one of the fastest growing stations outside London has involved creating a purpose-built station building and striking entrance featuring public art whilst retaining the previous Grade II listed building.
The opening of the new station building coincides with the 60-year anniversary of the opening of the existing Grade II listed station in 1962. A celebration event is being planned later in the spring to mark the occasion.
Passengers can also 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.
Passengers are able to access the station directly from Station Square, alongside new entrances on Warwick Road which will enable access to the new cycle hub, footbridge and station building plus an additional entrance point under Warwick Road where a direct access tunnel has been built, linking the station to the new transport interchange that will be opening next weekend.
The so called “tunnel” under Warwick Road has been designed so beautifully that you do not know that you are in an underpass and its quite a surprise to arrive at the bus station. Contrary to the original plans for the bus station, which we objected to, it has been designed so that buses can drive forward and do not have to reverse out of any bus stops.
The concourse areas feature five retail units, waiting rooms and toilets. There are new lifts for passengers to use while a secure cycle hub has been installed along with electric vehicle charging points.
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 embroidery work has formed a mural at the station, and further artwork will be unveiled later in the year.
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.
The windows of the original station building have been decorated by artist Tipping, who was kind enough to consult the Society on his plans. They look fabulous.
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. The new station car-park is accessed off Eaton Road. The new taxi loop, which opened last year, is next to the boulevard in front of the existing station building.
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.
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.
