The £82 million transformation of Coventry Railway Station has been officially completed.
The major project has seen a purpose-built station building and a 'striking' new entrance created at the station, as well as a new concourse which features five shops, waiting rooms and toilets. New lifts and a cycle hub have also been installed at the site.
Passengers can access the station directly from Station Square as well as via new entrances on Warwick Road. They can also use a new footbridge to reach platforms one to four which is connected to the new 629-space multi-storey car park.
Elsewhere, there are also improved public realm works outside the station including a new pedestrian boulevard and a visitor information pod. A new vehicle drop-off area has also been created in Station Square.
The opening of the new station building comes 60 years after the opening of the existing Grade II-listed station in 1962.
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Coventry City Council has worked in partnership with Network Rail, rail operators including Avanti West Coast, Transport for West Midlands, Friargate JV Project Ltd and other stakeholders on the huge regeneration programme.
The Coventry Station Masterplan project has been funded by £39.4 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) 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.
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.
"Together, Coventry station is now perfectly equipped to meet the needs of our residents, visitors and businesses. We've made improvements that will ensure that the station is an efficient and accessible building for all and one that is set up to match the growing use.
"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."
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 new station is also pivotal to our future talent pipeline ensuring the skills our economy needs - from apprentices to post-graduates - can move around the city and the region."
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, added: "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. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to the city in the coming months."
