At our first general meeting for 2026/27, we focussed on transport in Coventry. We had two excellent presentations from Colin Knight, Director of Innovation at the Council who provided us with an update on the Very Light Railway (VLR) and Neil Benison, Transport Planning Manager at the Council, who covered the transport strategy. This briefing centres on the former.
Members may remember that Colin Knight and his team hosted an event for us in June 2025 that included a trip on the pilot vehicle on the 220 metres of track on Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road. This was the first operating tram in the city for 85 years. We were told that the successful development of the VLR pilot had huge potential for cities of the size of Coventry who would not be able to finance and utilise heavy duty modern tram systems operating in places such as Edinburgh and Nottingham.
We, along with many other people and organisations, were impressed by the technology but raised queries such as adequate provision for wheelchair users, safety issues for cyclists crossing the tracks, and satisfactory air-conditioning. These have been or are now being addressed. In addition, the ongoing monitoring of the impact of vehicular traffic on the pilot track as well as the underground utilities has revealed no significant issues.
The update highlighted some important developments over the last 15 months. These include:
- Completion of a second pilot involving double track on Mile Hill by the end of September with work commencing shortly on an extension to Coventry Railway Station
- An agreement with Sheffield City Council to test the VLR track and infrastructure on a traditional modern tram system – if the outcome is successful, it would be a gamechanger for the VLR system as the infrastructure technology could be used more widely in the UK and elsewhere
- Ongoing discussions on the long-term potential VLR routes in the city including the possibility of a tramline from the railway station and bus station out to Ansty Park and the University Hospital at Walsgrave.
Nevertheless, there are innumerable challenges in developing a tram system for Coventry. These include whether trams or buses would best meet customers’ needs, the attitude of the Department for Transport who appear to blow hot and cold on further tram systems in English cities, and the labyrinthic regulations governing innovative transport initiatives such as the VLR.
However, the city could also benefit from the VLR in relation to the local economy and council finances, even if a tram system fails to materialise. This is because the Council owns the intellectual property rights to a significant number of technological features of the VLR. Thus, the development of VLR in other locations in the UK and elsewhere would generate income for the Council.
Furthermore, the Council is keen to involve local businesses in the development of the VLR products (as well as ensuring that there are opportunities to bid for contracts) and form part of the supply chain.
So, possibly, instead of a gigafactory and / or advanced manufacturing on the former airport site, we could have VLR manufacturing companies?
For more information go to About Coventry Very Light Rail, Coventry’s light rail technology a ‘game-changer’ – BBC News, and New Coventry Very Light Rail tram stop and passenger platform plan unveiled | Coventry Live.
Coventry Society articles on the VLR include CVLR Progress – Coventry Society, Coventry VLR – not now; not ever? – Coventry Society, and VLR Takes Next Steps – Coventry Society.