With the Coventry Very Light Rail vehicle now having moved to Alcester for the next stage of its development, and plans being progressed for a longer demonstration line in the future, Coventry City Council have been reflecting on the success of the initial demonstrations runs. Running in May and June 2025 this saw a 220 metre line built in Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road with good feedback provided by those lucky enough to secure a ticket to ride.
The big selling point of Very Light Rail has always been the fact that it is both cheaper and easier to install. This is partly down to its ground-breaking track system which means it can be laid over most utilities. It took just eight weeks to lay the initial demonstration line, a timeframe said to be unmatched anywhere in the world.
The vehicle is battery powered so overhead does not need to be installed either. In the future the tram (which can carry up to 60 passengers) will be able to be operated autonomously.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, said: “The Coventry Very Light Rail rides were a huge success. The track, which is the star of the show, was laid in just eight weeks, and over 3,000 people had a ride, with the feedback being really positive.
“Residents particularly liked how quiet, smooth and fast it was, as well as being pleased that it was pioneered from the innovation and green engineering skills of the city and wider West Midlands.
“CVLR is just one part of our plans to revolutionise transport in our city, tackle climate change, improve air quality, while providing a new, reliable and accessible travel option.
“Now that the vehicle is off-site, we will be working with utilities and monitoring the track, which will stay in place.
“Work has also started on the next stage, which will see us lay an 800-metre section from the railway station to the University Technology Park on Puma Way. This will enable us to show how the vehicle can run in a live traffic environment. We expect to start constructing this longer section in 2026.
“Of course, the huge news is that as part of the £2.4 billion pledged by Rachel Reeves for transport schemes in the West Midlands, there is cash identified explicitly for the first CVLR route from the city centre to the investment zone. Not only can we be on the ground delivering, but we will also be connecting to an employment site with huge potential. It’s a win-win.
“As cities around the world look for cleaner, smarter, and more cost-effective ways to transport people, Coventry’s home-grown CVLR system could soon be leading the way.”
CVLR is being funded by a number of partners: the West Midlands Combined Authority, the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Coventry City Council. The project is part of Coventry’s bid to the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.
Prefer overhead systems. I like the wires, pantographs, poles, frogs etc. Very Light Rail is cheaper undoubtedly, but too minimal visually for my tastes.