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This plan shows the station layout following the 1901-3 rebuilding. The "indent" in the parcel bay to allow the wagon turntable to operate can be seen as can the stable provided for the horse used for shunting the parcel vans. The reason why the station wasn't really upgraded until the turn of the century might well reflect the state of Coventry's economy. It wasn't until the 1890s, with the growth in popularity of bicycles, that Coventry's economy really took off having been in the doldrums for many decades and only then justified better facilities. In particular the distribution of bicycles by rail, including parcel traffic, is thought to have justified the 1901-3 extension. The Railway Gazette documented this growth and included photographs of both the goods yard and parcel depot being heavily engaged in distribution of bicycles. The volume of production was so great that inside one goods shed permanent signs indicating specific towns were fixed to the wall indicating that traffic to these locations was an every day occurrence. The location of the parcel depot has always puzzled the contributors as it clearly impeded the growth of the station. However if the volume of parcel traffic was heavy then its proximity to the main line would in part answer why it was placed adjacent to platform 1 as vans and brakes could be attached to the rear of express traffic with greater ease.
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