On-road trial of Coventry Very Light Rail to take place in city centre this summer

Coun Jim O’Boyle says he is looking forward to the Coventry Very Light Rail trial in the city centre this summer.

THE CONSTRUCTION of an on-road test for Coventry Very Light Rail looks set to go ahead this summer.

Following successful trials of the track and electric vehicle in Dudley, Coventry City Council is planning to run the vehicle on 220m of track along Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road for a four-week trial this summer.

Coventry’s Very Light Rail has no overhead cables and only requires a shallow track to be laid.

Coun Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council’s spokesperson for jobs and regeneration and climate change, said: “The trial will allow us to showcase the technology in the city centre as well as testing the revolutionary track-laying system which can be installed without significant disruption to utilities such as gas and water pipes.

“This is a major step in our-going testing of Very Light Rail and it’s fantastic that we’re going to be able to demonstrate this innovation and prove, right here in our city centre, that it works.

“Very Light Rail is just one part of our wider ambition to decarbonise transport, tackle climate change and improve air quality and everything we are doing to be the country’s first Electric City.

“Residents will be able to ride the vehicle during the four-week trial and details about how to apply to experience the city’s ground-breaking system will be published on the council website.

“I look forward to travelling on our vehicle on our track and in our city and would invite all residents to sign up to what is a stepping stone towards our journey to a greener, cleaner future.”

The project is currently funded via the West Midlands Combined Authority and HMG through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker added: “Connecting our communities through an expanded tram network is a key part of my vision for a more affordable and accessible transport system.

“Very Light Rail has the potential to deliver that faster and at a fraction of the usual cost, putting our region at the forefront of innovation.

This demonstrator track shows just how close we are to making this cutting-edge technology a reality for the West Midlands.”