Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street have taken a tour of Coventry Station with Councillor Jim O’Boyle to see first-hand the progress made to improve local rail connections.
The upgraded station, which is set to open soon, is undergoing significant improvements aimed at upgrading the infrastructure and creating more seamless transport links for visitors to Coventry.
Thanks to over £65m of Government funding, passengers using the new and improved station will benefit from a second footbridge to improve access to all four platforms, as well as a second station entrance to provide step-free access to trains.
The upgrades will also create extra capacity and deliver an enhanced transport interchange – with improved car and cycle parking, traffic-free pedestrian access and improved links to local bus services.
This ambitious upgrade will help meet the daily demands of this flourishing city, while creating local jobs, and improving access to major events taking place over the coming years – including hosting events for the Commonwealth Games next summer.
Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris said: “It’s vital that it has a train station that not only meets the daily demands of passengers, but acts as an impressive gateway to the city as it welcomes athletes and audiences for the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
“Seeing the progress here today, I have no doubt that the new station will be a huge boost to the whole region.”
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Not only will the new station provide a fitting gateway into Coventry, it also shows the power of collaborative working with the West Midlands Combined Authority, the City Council, and the Government all coming together cross-party to make this project happen.”
Coventry City Councillor, Jim O’Boyle said: “It was a pleasure today to see the progress that’s been made on Coventry Railway Station, now in its final stages, to increase capacity and provide new facilities such as charging points and bicycle storage to make Coventry’s transport infrastructure cleaner and greener.
“The new station is a key part of the Council’s transport strategy, sitting at the heart of our soon-to-be all-electric bus network and, once completed, housing the first stop of Coventry Very Light Rail.”
Earlier this year, the Government invested £50m to make Coventry the UK’s first all-electric bus city and supporting Coventry’s pioneering innovative lightweight and low-cost very-light-rail technology.
