Agenda item

Briefing note of the Executive Director of Place

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) considered a Briefing Note of the Executive Director of Place that provided and update of progress on the Coventry Station Masterplan.

Coventry had the fastest growing railway station for passenger numbers outside London and was a key gateway to the city. It was one of the busiest stations on the West Coast Mainline after London and Birmingham New Street but since being built in 1962 had seen little investment or updating. The Coventry Station Masterplan had been developed to address this, aiming to deliver transformational improvements to the Station and support the wider regeneration and connectivity of the Friargate development.

The proposals linked to completion of the Friargate Masterplan and had been developed in consultation with the rail industry and Friargate LLP. It also formed part of the City Centre Area Action Plan and the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan, as part of an overarching economic regeneration strategy.

The City Council had been working with Network Rail, the wider rail industry and Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership to identify proposals and a preferred option and secure funding to improve the station and increase capacity. The work remained ongoing and with final decisions subject to approval by the Cabinet.

Preliminary proposals sought to deliver new capacity and accessibility within the station through the provision of a new footbridge between platforms; a new station building which could be accessed from platform level and Warwick Road; replacement and additional car parking and passenger drop off facilities; and a new high quality public transport interchange. To support overall connectivity to Coventry Station and to Friargate, opportunities were also being explored for the integration of a potential future rapid transit system which would connect the city centre to the University of Warwick and eventually serve connections further afield. The works would be delivered in conjunction with NUCKLE 1.2, a ‘sister’ scheme, which provided a new bay platform; associated track and signalling works; and an enhanced train service between Coventry and Nuneaton, improving train service performance and providing reliability benefits.

To date the focus of the work has been on evaluating different options and completion of concept designs. The emphasis was on high quality design to respect the heritage of the existing Grade 2 listed building, in order to make Coventry an attractive Station able to compete with neighbouring stations across the region.

Construction of the first phase of works had commenced on a pedestrian access under Warwick Road with progress being made on the delivery of NUCKLE 1.2. Extensive traffic modelling work had been undertaken to ensure the new station infrastructure was supported by an effective highway layout.

The Station Masterplan improvements were expected to be supported by funding from Network Rail to provide enhancements to the existing station buildings. This was complemented by the recent improvements to the station forecourt area and Station Square undertaken by the City Council and Friargate LLP. An external funding package was being sought to deliver the remaining aspects of the Station Masterplan which could include Growth Deal, Integrated Transport Block and Devolution Deal.

The Board questioned officers and discussed the following issues:

·  Additional station building - Design options currently being assessed, with costs determined by the chosen design and the business deals acquired.

·  Funding for the proposals - Various funding sources available, including from the Devolution Deal and the Regional Growth Fund. All funding sources would be investigated. There would be a revenue cost to the Authority, council funding support ‘unlocks’ other funding opportunities.

·  Timescale for proposals – Delivery of the plan was dependent on key decision making, the design selection, and the acquisition of funding.The plan would be phased in as each stage progressed.

·  New access points – Would provide a seemless experience from the bus interchange drops, to the under-pass and bridge and into the Station area.

·  Taxi facilities – Important facility that would remain at the site.

Acknowledging the progression of the proposals, Members of the Board requested that they be provided with an updated copy of the Masterplan.

Resolved that the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) notes the update on progress of the Coventry Station Masterplan and has no recommendations to make to the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration.