Coventry is fourth local authority in West Midlands to be awarded the status
Coventry was awarded Coach Friendly Status by the CPT at its West Midlands region’s annual dinner and awards ceremony on Friday (February 10).
Councillor Linda Bigham received the award on behalf of the city from Mark Yexley, national CPT president, and Mike de Courcey, CPT’s West Midlands region chairman, at the Drayton Manor Hotel in Tamworth.
Mike de Courcey said: “I am delighted to be awarding the city of Coventry our prestigious Coach Friendly City Award.
This will be the fourth local authority to receive this award in West Midlands region.
“Stratford-Upon-Avon was the first of our towns to be awarded coach friendly status, followed in 2009 by Lichfield City, 2010 Ironbridge World Heritage site and now in 2011, Coventry City.
“It is clear towns and cities in the West Midlands believe this CPT Award is a hugely important product and they recognise that by investing and delivering good quality support to the coach industry, great economic benefits will follow.”
Phil Bateman, CPT’s West Midlands regional manager said: “Coventry have committed themselves to become a world class destination of choice for tourism, business, shopping and entertainment. It is clearly a city which excels in accommodating and attracting and welcoming coaches and their drivers and passengers. They have outlined their strategy to achieve their vision and demonstrated how they intend to provide a coach-friendly city based on the following objectives.
“They have agreed to ensure that their coach travel strategy links to the Local Transport Plan 3; provide comprehensive website information; produce information leaflets; market and communicate details of coach facilities; and improve direction signs for both coach drivers and passengers.
“They have also committed to providing good driver, passenger and coach parking facilities in appropriate and desirable locations, and ensuring accessibility for all passengers, particularly disabled users.
“In addition the city is to invest in a long stay coach park at White Street with space for 24 coaches and also providing drop off car parking provision along with taxi ranking space. All protected by CCTV cameras fitted to provide additional security for coaches parked.”
