The pioneering technology of Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) is set to be showcased at the forthcoming UK Light Rail Conference in Leeds. The two day convention starts on 22nd July as is the UK’s premier event dedicated solely to the advancement of light rail, featuring over 50 expert speakers and bringing together key decision-makers, manufacturers, operators and innovators from across the sector.
CVLR will present to the conference on 23rd July and will explain how the innovative track system was installed ahead of the recent demonstration runs as well as how it operated during its six week trail period. There will also be a discussion panel called Smarter moves in light rail which will help to demonstrate the breadth of expertise and innovation the project represents.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council Cabinet Member of Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, said: “Being invited to showcase Coventry’s Very Light Rail at the UK’s premier light rail conference is testament to the ground-breaking innovation we’ve achieved here in Coventry.
“Our successful on-road testing, which saw over 3,000 people experience this revolutionary transport system, proves that we can deliver affordable, sustainable rail solutions at unprecedented speed and cost.
“The fact that we laid our 220-metre track in just eight weeks – faster than anywhere else in the world – demonstrates how CVLR can transform the way cities approach public transport infrastructure.
“Crucially, this isn’t just a transport system – it’s designed and built right here in Coventry, creating jobs and establishing a whole new industry for our city.
“As we begin work on our next 800-metre section connecting the railway station to University Technology Park, we’re not just building a transport system for Coventry – we’re pioneering a solution that could revolutionise urban mobility across the UK and beyond while positioning Coventry as the home of this innovative technology and the skilled jobs it brings.”
As we’ve heard regularly in recent months, CVLR has been designed to create an affordable rail-based travel system that is said to be able to be delivered at less than half the cost and in half the time of conventional light rail systems.
Very much looking forward to seeing the results of the Coventry VLR trail and people’s response to it and potential application to other UK towns and cities at the Annual Light Rail Conference in Leeds next week.
Ian Brown CBE, conference sessions chair.