Coventry's Very Light Rail system to steal the show at national conference
City Councillor Jim O'Boyle said the railway would establish "a whole new industry" for the city
Coventry Very Light Rail will steal the show tomorrow (23/7) at a national light rail conference.
City Councillor Jim O'Boyle said the railway would establish "a whole new industry" for the city.
It's designed to be less than half the cost of conventional light rail systems, and twice as quick to build.
The two-day convention 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.
Coventry will present to the conference on Wednesday 23 July with a dedicated session titled: CVLR: Coventry's first On Road Test installation and operation.
The CVLR team will also participate in a discussion panel called Smarter moves in light rail, demonstrating the breadth of expertise and innovation the project represents.
The recognition represents a significant milestone for the project, which has achieved remarkable success during its recent on-road testing phase.
The 220-metre track was laid in the city centre of Coventry in just eight weeks - a timeframe unmatched anywhere in the world. Over six weeks, more than 3,000 members of the public experienced the future of urban transport first-hand through test rides, providing overwhelmingly positive feedback.
'It's designed and built right here in Coventry'
Councillor Jim O'Boyle, Cabinet Member for 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.”
The Very Light Rail system promises to address the critical challenge facing many UK cities seeking sustainable transport solutions.
Where conventional light rail systems can cost upwards of £25 million per kilometre to install and as much as £100 million per kilometre in city centres, CVLR delivers a solution that provides the benefits of a conventional tram but at a significantly reduced installation cost.
Key innovations that set CVLR apart:
- A battery-powered 'revolutionary vehicle design'
- Ultra-thin track technology
- A sustainable impact, reducing the need for cars, improving air quality, and reducing congestion
The project represents a collaborative effort involving multiple partners, including the West Midlands Combined Authority, the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, WMG at the University of Warwick and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.
Recent months have seen significant progress, with Simon Lightwood, Minister for Local Transport, visiting the CVLR track during Better Transport Week, demonstrating growing government interest in the technology's potential.
Work has also started on the next stage, which will see an 800-metre section laid from the railway station to the University Technology Park on Puma Way.