Coventry Very Light Rail demonstrator track enters construction phase

Image credit: Andrew Moore

The Coventry Very Light Rail project has now broken ground on a 400m long construction section along Mile Lane, the first of three phases to deliver the City Centre Demonstrator Track. This section features twin track installation, following a joint site enclosure with Severn Trent Water to renew an aged asset and support wider infrastructure renewal ahead of the Council’s Very Light Rail works, which will commence mid-July 2026. Road milling and wider excavation is now in progress to reach the required shallow construction depth to commence build-up of the innovative track slab and rail system.

This will form the first part of the construction work, to be followed by track installation on Park Road and in the Coventry University Car Park throughout 2027 in preparation for prototype vehicle testing at a later date. The Demonstrator aims to understand how the unique slab track can be installed at pace and in high quantities across complex urban terrain, before demonstrating that the prototype vehicle can operate in a mixed operating environment. The track will also be tested to understand its ability to absorb noise and vibrations from the system in operation, so future installations can build on this data and integrate into a built-up street with mitigated nuisance.

Excavator continuing the shallow reduced dig of 350mm depth, following road milling on Mile Lane, awaiting final surface preparation before the CVLR track slab installation can commence.

Prior to commencing the main track installation, the Construction Team will work alongside Severn Trent Water to upgrade buried services during the road closures, preventing numerous disruptions for the city. Direct utility interface also features gas, power, communications, and third-party fibre, with the pragmatic features of the Coventry Very Light Rail slab, including boxed cut-outs in the 4-foot and localised slab modifications, meaning most utilities can remain in situ.

This is a direct objective, which should reduce the cost of construction due to utility diversions that typically characterise urban light rail installations and can cause extraneous budget and programme increases.

Alongside the Demonstrator project, Coventry City Council will also introduce a safer cycling route for cyclists between Coventry Railway Station and Coventry University, a key transport link. The corridor aims to provide an inclusive, multi-use transport corridor for all modes. This will embody the most successful light rail urban use models by supporting a range of public transport methods to encourage people to make sustainable travel choices. The Council wants to provide travel options, including active travel, to create a healthier and safer space for all.

The works are being delivered by a Council Client Team built from Waterman Aspen secondees and permanent Council Staff, working in partnership with Arup as the Design Team and Colas Rail as the Construction Team. Works should be completed on Mile Lane in Autumn 2026 and lessons learnt will then allow the team to perfect the construction strategy for the more densely populated Park Rd. Exciting times ahead for the CVLR team and the wider industry, which will one day benefit from this showcase of innovation.

Beyond the Demonstrator, the wider CVLR system aims to cut the cost of achieving a rail-guided mass transit system. It plans to achieve this through shallower construction depths, pragmatic utility partnerships, and a lower-cost vehicle system using innovative technologies. The goal here is to reach parity at cost-benefit analysis with non-rail-guided mass transit means. Rail-guided systems in cities typically stimulate more economic regeneration due to their permanence, therefore initiating urban and economic improvements beyond the transport system.

Coventry Very Light Rail aims to learn from, build on, and grow the successes of a light rail system, helping to make it accessible to more cities in the UK.

The CVLR programme is funded by the Department for Transport via West Midlands Combined Authority.

To learn more about CVLR visit our website www.coventry.gov.uk/vlr or speak to a member of the team at CoventryVLR@coventry.gov.uk 

Alternatively, sign up to participate in the Time for Trams Conference being hosted at Coventry Technology Park to showcase the CVLR track installation methodology: https://www.landorlinks.uk/time-for-trams-2026 

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This update was provided by Daniel Colley, CVLR Delivery Manager, on behalf of the Coventry Very Light Rail project team.