Coventry to run on-road test of Very Light Rail in city centre this summer

Coventry City Council's cabinet is anticipated to approve a significant trial of its Very Light Rail (VLR) project in the city centre this summer. The development, which aims to demonstrate cutting-edge rail technology and infrastructure in a live urban environment, will run for four weeks along a 220m stretch of Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road. The VLR project has already seen successful testing at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in Dudley, where a prototype vehicle was trialled in autumn 2023.

The new rail system, characterised by its shallow track - only 300mm deep into the road surface - promises to underpin a cost-effective and less disruptive addition to the urban transport network. Unlike traditional light rail systems, which are often hindered by overhead cables and extensive groundworks, the VLR system can be installed with minimal interference to existing utilities like gas and water pipelines.

VLR track demonstator The Coventry VLR initiative is being funded as part of a GBP72M investment from the West Midlands Combined Authority, backed by funds from the Department for Transport's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements.

Coventry is poised to become the first city in the UK to implement this innovative and affordable battery-powered rail system. The ultimate aim is for the VLR to be scaled up to a 2km link between Coventry railway station and the Pool Meadow bus station, further integrating the city's transport network. Coventry City Council member for jobs and regeneration and climate change Jim O'Boyle said: "The trial will allow us to showcase the technology in the city centre as well as testing the revolutionary track-laying system which can be installed without significant disruption to utilities such as gas and water pipes.

"This is a major step in our-going testing of Very Light Rail and it's fantastic that we're going to be able to demonstrate this innovation and prove, right here in our city centre, that it works. "Very Light Rail is just one part of our wider ambition to decarbonise transport, tackle climate change and improve air quality and everything we are doing to be the country's first Electric City. "Residents will be able to ride the vehicle during the four-week trial and details about how to apply to experience the city's ground-breaking system will be published on the council website next year

"I look forward to travelling on our vehicle on our track and in our city and would invite all residents to sign up to what is a stepping stone towards our journey to a greener, cleaner future." Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair Richard Parker said: "Connecting our communities through an expanded tram network is a key part of my vision for a more affordable and accessible transport system. "Very Light Rail has the potential to deliver that faster and at a fraction of the usual cost, putting our region at the forefront of innovation.

This demonstrator track shows just how close we are to making this cutting-edge technology a reality for the West Midlands."

WMCA is also exploring whether the track could be used for further extensions of its Metro system.

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