Work is underway on the construction of the first section of the latest Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) demonstrator line in the city centre. Severn Trent Water have been on site on Mile Lane – which is a 400 metre long section of the line, the first of three sections – to renew their infrastructure ahead of the CVLR team moving in later this summer.
The actual CVLR works will start in this area from mid-July 2026. Road-milling and wide excavation has already started. This will reach the shallow construction depth which is needed to install the innovative track slab and rail system that is being used as part of the Very Light Rail project.
This is just the first phase of construction work. Further phases will come in 2027 with track installation on Park Road and in the Coventry University Car Park. In an article from the CVLR Delivery Manager, Daniel Colley, on the UKTram website there is no commitment given to when the demonstrator vehicle will be used on this line.
A previous short demonstration line was used last summer for initial tests. Following the success of these test for VLR vehicle was moved away for further work and development ahead of its use on any future demonstration line.
Coventry City Council continue to have hopes that this will be part of a wider Very Light Rail network for the city.