TWO new stations have opened today between Coventry and Nuneaton, but one of them continues to be surrounded by controversy.

The stations at Bermuda Park and Coventry Arena for the Ricoh Stadium will be served by London Midland trains, but not at Coventry Arena when there are sporting events.

London Midland has said it does not have enough rolling stock to provide the kind of capacity which a sporting event at the Ricoh Stadium would need, because the crowds would overwhelm the single car Class 153 unit which currently provides services on the line.

Cllr John McNicholas, Coventry City Council lead member for transport said: "It's taken a while, certainly longer than we had hoped for, but finally the stations will be open and I'm delighted about that.

"Although the station at the Ricoh won't be open directly after matches or on major event days until Wasps, Coventry City Football Club or events sponsor charter trains, the new service will still provide lots of advantages for local people."

The new stations are part of a £13.6 million project to upgrade the route, which will also include a new station at Kenilworth and an extra platform at Coventry in due course. The upgrade is being funded by Coventry City Council, Centro and Warwickshire County Council, aided by further funding from the Department for Transport and the European Regional Development Fund.