Coventry is preparing for a major milestone in its transport infrastructure. Between May and June 2025, the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) system, a next-generation, cost-effective transport solution, will be tested in the city centre. Delivered with local industry expertise and supportive government initiatives, the project aims to provide residents with a sustainable and accessible alternative.
Coventry City Council has announced that RailAdventure UK will operate the CVLR vehicle on a dedicated 220m test track between Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road. The demonstration aims to provide a tangible preview of Coventry’s future transport vision, while also gathering key data on its potential benefits and ease of implementation.
The Coventry Very Light Rail System stands out as a more economical and flexible alternative to traditional light rail systems. The project is based on innovative approaches from the local automotive and rail industries. Lightweight vehicles and a shallow rail system that lies just 30 centimetres below the road surface aim to reduce construction costs and facilitate easier integration into the urban fabric. This feature makes the CVLR less costly and quicker to implement than other transport solutions.
Coventry City Councillor Jim O’Boyle highlighted the potential impact of this important trial. “This project will not only improve transport access, it will also help combat climate change, reduce emissions and provide reliable mobility for all our residents,” O’Boyle said. This clearly demonstrates the project’s focus on environmental sustainability and social benefit.
The trial process also includes public participation. Residents and stakeholders who register via the Coventry City Council website will have the opportunity to experience the system in person by taking part in test drives. This interactive approach will provide valuable feedback for future development work and help shape the system to best suit user needs.
RailAdventure UK, which assumes full responsibility for the test operations, will employ an experienced team throughout the process. A particularly striking detail is that the test drives will be carried out by a father-son team. This adds a meaningful dimension to the project’s local ties and emphasis on community involvement.
Kevin Walker, Managing Director of RailAdventure UK, welcomed this exciting initiative. “We believe our experience with battery-powered vehicles puts our company in a good position to support this sustainable mobility solution,” he said, highlighting the environmental friendliness of the CVLR system and RailAdventure UK’s expertise in this area.
The CVLR scheme receives significant funding from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement through the West Midlands Combined Authority. This support demonstrates the relevance and importance of the scheme to regional development strategies. In the long term, the City of Coventry aims to expand the system to create a comprehensive network across the whole of the city. This vision shows that CVLR is more than just a test project, it has the potential to form the future transport backbone of the city.
With preparations in full swing, the City of Coventry invites its residents to join in this important step towards modern and environmentally friendly urban transport. May and June will not only be a testing period for Coventry, but also a promising start to the future of transport. The data collected and public feedback will play a critical role in the evolution of Coventry’s transport infrastructure towards a sustainable and accessible future.
