The testing of the Coventry Very Light Rail demonstration line has now come to a close but before it ended various VIPs visited to see the new technology in action. This included the UK government’s Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood MP.
Simon Lightwood visited as part of Better Transport Week – Monday 16th to Sunday 22nd June – and was pleased with what he saw. He said: “I think it’s a fantastic innovation by the local authority, a really smooth, light, and airy ride. I can really see the benefits that it could bring, not only here in Coventry, but potentially to the rest of the world.”
He was welcomed to Coventry by Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration, and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, and Ben Plowden, CEO Campaign for Better Transport.
Cllr O’Boyle said: “There is no better place to celebrate Better Transport Week than in Coventry, where our innovation and manufacturing skills have enabled us to create a new very light rail system that has the potential to change how people move around small to medium sized cities. We are pleased to welcome Simon Lightwood, so we cannot only show him how brilliantly it works but also discuss the potential – that’s what’s really exciting. This system will create jobs for local people, and this is just the beginning of our plans to put Coventry Very Light Rail at the heart of the growing green economy here in Coventry.”
Richard Parker added: “This is a proud moment for the West Midlands, demonstrating our global leadership in transport innovation. This successful trial of our cutting-edge tram technology, designed and developed right here in the region, paves the way for the quick delivery of a network in Coventry and has the potential to revolutionise public transport for millions worldwide.”
Very Light Rail uses innovative technology with the hope that it will significantly reduce costs to introduce rail based transport into cities across the UK (and beyond). The track used means utilities do not have to be moved, and the vehicle in use in Coventry is battery operated so the extra cost of adding overhead lines is also not required.