Work under way on pioneering Coventry Very Light Rail test track

Work on installing a new on road test track to showcase the revolutionary Very Light Rail technology has started in Coventry city centre.

The 220 metre demonstration track is designed to show how the pioneering transport system can be delivered faster and at a much lower cost than traditional tramways. It is due to be completed ready of on road tests in the summer.

The track is being installed by Colas Rail UK under contract from Coventry City Council – which is leading the ground-breaking project.

It is funded from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settement (CRSTS) awarded to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) by the Department for Transport.

Photo: Colas Rail UK

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “This revolutionary Very Light Rail technology, in which the West Midlands is leading the way, will slash costs and accelerate construction times for tram networks – allowing us to better deliver on my vision to connect communities with more affordable and accessible public transport.

“We are investing millions in this project, and the start of work on this test track shows how close we are to making this a reality.”

The on road test will offer local people an opportunity to ride in the vehicle and provide feedback. This concept has the potential to revolutionise the light rail market and make urban transport significantly more affordable for cities and larger towns.

Once work is complete, there will be a four-week showcase in the Summer. In the long-term Coventry Council has an aspiration to develop a very light rail network across the city.

Cllr Jim O’Boyle cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change with Coventry City Council said, “I am pleased that Colas has been appointed to deliver this really exciting stage of Very Light Rail in Coventry City Centre.  We think it will be a real game changer in terms of how people move around, especially in towns and cities and it will save cash, cut carbon and eventually provide a driverless hop on and hop off option.

“It will be great to see it in the street scene and for local people to be able to actually ride on it. And of course, there is lots of interest from across the Uk and further afield so we are really looking forward to showing everyone how quickly the track can be laid – that really is the clever bit of our system.”

Iain Anderson, urban managing director for Colas Rail, added: “We are delighted Coventry City Council chose Colas Rail UK for this strategically important scheme and look forward to developing this innovative solution together.”

The innovative track is thinner than the track used in existing tram systems, reducing the need to dig deeper and divert all pipes and cables, which can add significant cost and time delays to light rail projects.

Colas Rail has a long track record in delivering urban rail schemes to benefit the West Midlands, renewing, upgrading and extending the tram network on behalf of Transport for West Midlands as the principal contractor of the Midland Metro Alliance since 2016.