Coventry Very Light Rail service back on track as council set to approve limited trial

Coventry City Council is set to approve the construction of the first on-road test for the city’s long-awaited ‘Very Light Rail’ (VLR) service, which was originally set to launch later this year.

The council plans to run the VLR vehicle on a 220-metre-long track along Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road for four weeks in the summer.

The approval of the test will mark a significant step forward in the development of the new transport system, after plans for the network were originally put on hold in April 2024 following the Department for Transport’s rejection of a funding bid from the council.

The innovative form of transit, similar to a tram but with less intrusive rails, promises to ‘decarbonise’ transport in the city, offering cleaner and more accessible alternatives to cars for Coventry residents.

The VLR […] will be completely battery-powered and feature no overhead electric cables, contributing to cheaper construction costs

The VLR – which will be Coventry’s first new light rail development since 1940 – will be completely battery-powered and feature no overhead electric cables, contributing to cheaper construction costs.

The University will play a role in the project, with vehicles designed by Warwick researchers, in partnership with engineering group Ingerop.

With Coventry already set to become the first city in the UK with an all-electric bus fleet next year, the rail project seeks to further establish the city as a leader in decarbonising local transit.

The network is designed to be affordable and quick to construct, thanks to its innovative shallow track system.

Requiring just 30mm of road clearance compared to the 600mm needed for traditional tramlines, this design minimises disruption and significantly cuts costs.

Installation is expected to cost £10 million per kilometre, far less than the typical cost of £25 million to £30 million per kilometre for conventional tram systems.

The project has received £2.4 million of funding from the UK Government and £12.2 million from the West Midlands devolution deal.

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

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change

This is in addition to its backing by the West Midlands Combined Authority, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, and Coventry City Council as part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

Private investments and government infrastructure grants, which are set to be expanded under the new Labour government, form the remainder of the funding.

Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, 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.”

By leveraging local researchers, construction, and materials, the project underscores the city’s leadership in sustainable transport innovation and ambitious local investment.