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Canley is a suburban neighbourhood located in southwest Coventry, England. Canley became part of Coventry as a result of successive encroachment of the latter's boundaries between 1928 and 1932, having historically been part of the Stoneleigh parish. Electorally, it is split largely between the Wainbody and Earlsdon wards (also Westwood?).
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Map of Canley, Coventry, UK
The area is home to a large number of students attending the nearby University of Warwick.
There was a level crossing adjacent to Canley railway station until 2003, when the road was closed and a foot bridge was built over the railway.
The suburb is bisected by the A45 dual-carriageway, with a major state housing development (built in the early-1950s) lying to the south and an area of private housing (Canley Gardens) situated north of this road towards Canley rail station.
History
Canley is known as the site of the main factory of the Standard Motor Company and was all open farmland before 1916. The initial factory was built around 'Ivy Cottage', near the Canley Train Halt and was first used in 1916 to build First World War fighter aircraft. 'Standard' cars were produced there from 1918 onwards. The factory continued to expand over the site throughout the 1920s and most significantly just before the Second World War when two additional Shadow Factories were added. Production of Standard and Triumph cars continued until car production ceased in August 1980 as part of British Leyland's rationalisation. Some of the site was retained as a technical centre until the mid-1990s but was successively demolished thereafter. A commemorative sculpture of the Standard-Triumph badge now stands on the site of the works, on Herald Avenue, close to the Standard Triumph Club, which is now the only remaining building of the industrial complex where thousands of Coventry people once worked.
Sir Henry Parkes (1815–1896), Australian statesman and five times Premier of New South Wales, was born in Canley, in a cottage off Moat House Lane. Canley Fire Station is in Sir Henry Parkes Road near to the A45. A school named after him in Canley has been demolished.
Schools
Sir Henry Parkes school and Alderman Harris school were merged into one school that is now known as Charter primary.
Local landmarks
Some of the notable landmarks in the Canley area include:
The University of Warwick is situated on the outskirts of Canley. Many of the ex council houses have been bought by private landlords and converted by loft extensions to house as many as nine students in one dwelling. This has led to Canley being nicknamed 'Student Village' and has led to pressure on roadside parking spaces in some areas of Canley, especially close to the A45 and Cannon Park.