Coventry Very Light Rail wins Innovation Impact Award

Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) has been recognised at the British Construction & Infrastructure Awards, with Colas Rail and Coventry City Council jointly winning the Innovation Impact Award for their work on the project.

The awards, organised by New Civil Engineer and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), recognise excellence in infrastructure delivery and projects that deliver positive societal outcomes. The judges praised the Coventry team for challenging established approaches to infrastructure development and demonstrating how innovation can be implemented at scale, highlighting the project's potential benefits for cities across the UK.

Coventry Very Light Rail is being developed as a lower-cost alternative to conventional tram systems, combining lightweight, battery-powered vehicles with an innovative shallow-track design. Its modular track system requires excavation of approximately 30cm, reducing the need for extensive utility diversions and helping to minimise construction costs and disruption.

The award recognises the collaboration behind a project that aims to make light rail a more accessible and affordable transport option for Coventry and other medium-sized cities.