A 750-tonne crane to be used for the installation of a new footbridge has arrived at Coventry Railway Station.

Once installed the footbridge will span platforms 1-4 and is part of the £82 million project at the railway station.

The work will be carried out on Saturday evenings between 11 pm, and 7 am when there are no trains running. It is expected the work will continue until the 17th January 2021.

Trains will continue to run as normal and pedestrian access to the station will be maintained.

A 633-space multi-storey car park along with a station entrance on Warwick Road will be connected with the new footbridge.

In addition, a new passenger waiting room, toilets and 5 retail units will be created as part of the project.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The West Midlands Combined Authority is committed to helping redevelop Coventry City Centre alongside our partners, and we are investing a lot of money to help make that happen.

“The £40million for the redevelopment of Coventry rail station is a prime example of that, and it is brilliant to see the project taking shape in front of our eyes. Not only will the new station help create a fitting gateway into the city, but it is also a significant economic boost at this difficult time, helping to guarantee work for the construction sector, which in turn helps to both create and protect local jobs.

“As well as the new station, the WMCA is also the single-biggest investor in City of Culture with £35 million committed, and we are also leading on the project to redevelop Pool Meadow bus station.”

Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration at Coventry City Council and CWLEP board director, said: “There is lots going on in the city centre at the moment with over £80 million being invested in projects that will create an important legacy for local people. At the station it’s clear to see that work is cracking on but the footbridge lift is a really important stage.

“I believe that we have one of the best arrival points in to any city in the UK by train – and this extension will give us a station building to match.

“The main station building is listed – but we will be combining the best of the old with the best of the new to ensure we have a station that works for visitors and which local people can be proud of.”

“COVID-19 is presenting a whole raft of challenges but the investment that is underway now will help us to be in the strongest position possible as we emerge out of the other end.

Nick Abell, chair of the CWLEP, said this was an important piece in the jigsaw to create a much-improved railway station in Coventry.

He said: “The crane is set to dominate Coventry’s skyline for a few weeks as the new footbridge is lifted into place in the next crucial stage of the scheme.

“The footbridge and lifts will complement the existing station and create additional capacity to accommodate significantly higher numbers of passengers.

“The previous footbridge was no longer adequate for one of the fastest-growing stations outside London and, once complete, this will provide an impressive new gateway to visitors arriving in Coventry.

“That is particularly important as we countdown to Coventry being UK City of Culture and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”

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