We have delivered major enhancements at Coventry and Wigan North Western stations, investing over £1.6 million to improve accessibility, customer experience, and heritage preservation, highlighted by a new skylight and signage upgrade at Coventry and a redesigned entrance, improved facilities, and new Welcome Host roles at Wigan.
Coventry Station Enhanced with £600,000 Skylight and Signage Upgrade
In collaboration with Network Rail, and the Railway Heritage Trust, we have completed a £600,000 project replacing all 27 skylights on Coventry station’s platform 1 and installing new wayfinding signage.
The original skylights, dating from the 1960s, were at the end of their lifespan and difficult to maintain. The new skylights allow more natural light, feature removable panels for cleaning, and are complemented by energy-efficient LED lighting. Roof access points were also added to improve future maintenance.
This project forms part of a wider transformation, including the 2022 opening of a new main station building, multi-storey car park, retail outlets, and a refreshed courtyard on platform 1. Additionally, work to renovate the station’s unique tiled walls and highlight its heritage has been supported by the Railway Heritage Trust.
Dean Duthie, Engineering and Infrastructure Director at Avanti West Coast, said:
“Walking along Platform 1, the work has made a remarkable difference where customers will see a more vibrant look and feel from the natural light streaming through the new skylights. Coventry station boasts a rich railway history and is undergoing a huge transformation to ensure the best possible experience.”
Federica Labanca, Principal Route Engineer at Network Rail Central, added:
“We take great pride in preserving Britain’s iconic stations while meeting modern passenger needs. We hope the new improvements enhance the experience for station users and city visitors for years to come.”
Tim Hedley-Jones, Director of The Railway Heritage Trust, commented:
“Having clear natural light and visible signage is key to the customer experience. We’re pleased to have supported this important work at this Grade II listed station.”
Cllr Naeem Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Coventry City Council, said:
“The new skylights and signage strike a great balance between enhancing the station’s architectural heritage and meeting modern-day needs, improving the customer experience while preserving its unique character.”
£1 Million Station Enhancement Completed at Wigan North Western
We are pleased to announce the completion of a £1 million investment programme at Wigan North Western station, aimed at significantly improving the customer experience and supporting local employment.
The programme delivered a range of enhancements, including a redesigned main entrance with widened doors, improved lighting, upgraded CCTV, and the installation of Automatic Ticket Gates. Ticket machines were relocated for easier access, and a new retail space and accessible toilet were introduced on platform 4. In addition, we refurbished customer information areas to provide clearer and more accessible support for passengers.
As part of our commitment to delivering a more personal and welcoming service, we also created eight new Welcome Host roles. These team members are positioned throughout the station to offer assistance with ticketing, journey planning and general customer support, helping to ensure a seamless and positive experience for all station users.
Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director at Avanti West Coast, commented:
“The upgraded entrance and platform areas create a brighter, more accessible environment, while our Welcome Hosts are on hand to offer reassurance and support to customers throughout their journey.”
Simon Elliott, Network Director for Rail at Transport for Greater Manchester, added:
“This investment aligns with our broader ambition to make stations across the city region safer, more welcoming, and accessible.”
This project forms part of our wider strategy to enhance station environments across the network, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of customers and communities alike.
Sustainability Partner of the Year
We’re honoured to have been named Rail Operator Sustainability Partner of the Year at the 2025 Business Travel Sustainability Awards, recognising our commitment to making rail a more sustainable and viable option for business travel.
Judges praised our ambitious sustainability strategy and strong collaboration with corporate clients to encourage a shift from air to rail. A standout example was our partnership with Mott MacDonald, where we introduced a flexible and competitive fare framework between London and Glasgow. This initiative helped them achieve a 49% increase in rail market share and a 43% reduction in carbon emissions on targeted routes.
This award reflects the dedication of our Corporate Sales and Responsible Business Teams, who continue to support our customers in meeting their net zero goals by offering smarter, more sustainable travel solutions.