Colas Rail UK has completed the construction of the on-road test track for the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) project on behalf of Coventry City Council. The newly built 220-metre demonstrator track, located along Greyfriars and Queen Victoria Road in Coventry City Centre, serves as a proof of concept for a new approach to light rail delivery—prioritising speed, sustainability, and cost-efficiency.
The CVLR demonstrator track was constructed using alternative techniques to traditional light rail methods. These innovations are aimed at reducing installation time, environmental impact, and overall construction costs, presenting a scalable solution for light rail in small to medium-sized cities.
Construction began in March 2025, with initial enabling works involving the removal of an existing central reservation and reconfiguration of traffic flow. This was followed by the installation of the track slab and rails. All works were completed on schedule by mid-May, with opportunities made available for public viewings and technical assessments.
Coventry Very Light Rail: Positive reception from stakeholders
Hamish Falconer, Project Manager at Colas Rail UK, celebrated the completion: “It is fantastic to see this first stretch of very light rail track installed in a live environment. The whole team at Colas Rail UK is really proud to have been part of this historic milestone, along with how quickly and accurately we delivered this section. We look forward to working very closely with our partners at Coventry City Council to build on this success and further develop Coventry Very Light Rail.”
Council champions scalable urban transport model
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration, and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, emphasised the transformative potential of the system: “Coventry Very Light Rail has the potential to change how people move around small to medium sized cities. Colas Rail showed just how quickly it can be laid and the feedback from the public and technical representatives has been incredible.
“We aren’t just piloting technology; we are building confidence in a scalable model that puts climate, community, and cost-effectiveness at the heart of urban mobility. This system will create jobs for local people, and this is just the beginning of our plans to put CVLR at the heart of the growing green economy here in Coventry.”
Next Steps for Coventry Very Light Rail
The successful delivery of the on-road track demonstrator builds upon previous stages of the CVLR programme and signals the city’s continued commitment to sustainable, accessible public transport.
Further phases of the project will aim to extend the system across key corridors in the city, contributing to local employment and supporting Coventry’s climate action goals.
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