New images have been released of the £82 million Coventry Station Masterplan which will transform part of the city centre.
The planning application for the multi-million pound plans to regenerate the fastest growing station outside London are to be submitted to Coventry City Council later this year to create a new-look gateway for the millions of passengers who arrive in the city by train each year.
Coventry City Council is working on the project in partnership with Network Rail, Virgin Trains and other rail operators, Transport for West Midlands, Friargate Coventry LLP and other stakeholders.
The project has received funding from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), the Department for Transport and some borrowing while funding is also being requested from the West Midlands Combined Authority Devolution Deal.
The major scheme will include creating a second footbridge to connect all four platforms and extend the platforms, a second entrance onto Warwick Road with step-free access to all platforms and a multi-storey car-park for 644 vehicles.
A bus interchange will also be built connected to the station building via a new access tunnel under Warwick Road.
A new platform will increase services to twice an hour between Nuneaton and Coventry and road improvements will involve building a new road connecting Central Six Retail Park to the ring road and improvements to reduce congestion on Warwick Road.
Drop-in sessions to discuss the plans have been arranged at Coventry Station on Wednesday, November 8 between 3.30pm to 6pm, Thursday, November 9 from 7.30am to 10am and on Saturday, November 11 from 10am to 2pm.
The plans can also be seen and discussed at Mach Health & Fitness at Central Six Retail Park in Warwick Road, Coventry, on Wednesday, November 15 from 4pm to 6pm and on Thursday, November 16 between noon to 2pm.
The Central Library in Smithford Way in Coventry city centre is the location on Monday, November 6 from 10am to 2pm to also look at the proposals.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration at Coventry City Council, said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to secure Local Growth Fund money to help us improve the rail station. Coventry is the fastest growing station outside London over the last five years, and these improvements will help it cope with the future major growth in passenger numbers and provide an attractive gateway into the city.”
Jonathan Browning, chair of the CWLEP, said the Coventry Station Masterplan would transform this area of the city.
“The Local Growth Fund was set-up to support economic growth and improving transport infrastructure has a big part to play in achieving our priorities and plans for Coventry and Warwickshire,” he said.
“The Coventry Station Masterplan will improve connections with other towns in the area and ease congestion.
“It will also generate jobs and improve the first impression of Coventry for the millions of passengers who arrive annually in the city whether that is for business or leisure.”