Coventry approves first permanent demonstrator line for pioneering Very Light Rail system

Coventry, UK — Coventry University’s Technology Park will become the first stop on a groundbreaking new tram network, following Coventry City Council’s approval of a new demonstrator route for its Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) system.

The approved demonstrator will run for approximately 800 metres, linking Coventry Railway Station with the Technology Park, and will include a new service and charging facility at the university’s Mile Lane site. If successful, the demonstrator will remain in place as part of a permanent network and be extended to serve other areas of the city.

The route has been made possible through an agreement allowing Coventry City Council to use university-owned land. The CVLR delivery team also plans to base its project headquarters at the Technology Park.

A new approach to urban transport

CVLR represents a step change in how tram systems are designed and delivered. Unlike conventional tramways, CVLR uses lightweight electric vehicles and shallow-track technology, allowing routes to be installed quickly, at significantly lower cost, and with minimal disruption.

The system’s design means:

• Most underground utilities such as pipes and cables can remain undisturbed
• Trams can handle much tighter curves, allowing them to navigate existing city streets
• Large-scale road redesigns and land acquisition are avoided
• Track installation is non-invasive, removing the need for planning consent and accelerating delivery

This approach makes CVLR particularly attractive for medium-sized cities where traditional tram systems may be prohibitively expensive or disruptive.

Living demonstrator ahead of global showcase

While Coventry residents were given an early glimpse of CVLR with a short, temporary city-centre demonstrator installed last year, the newly approved route marks a significant milestone. At 800 metres, it will be long enough to operate alongside live traffic, providing real-world evidence of how the system performs in everyday conditions.

Coventry City Council aims for the demonstrator to be operational by October 2027, in time for the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress at the NEC. Delegates attending the global event will be among the first to experience CVLR in action.

The council hopes this international exposure will drive interest from other cities in the UK and abroad, leading to wider adoption of the technology.

Supporting sustainability and modal shift

Brendan O’Reilly, Sustainable Transport Manager at Coventry University, said:

“CVLR is a first-of-its-kind transport system that offers huge benefits, not just for Coventry but for other cities across the globe of a similar size who may find a traditional tram system too costly or problematic.

“We have collaborated closely with the city council and it is fantastic that Coventry University’s Technology Park will be the first stop on the demonstrator line. With our focus on sustainability, being able to offer transport from the railway station in the city centre to the Technology Park will help us encourage people to leave their cars at home.

“The technology behind CVLR is owned by Coventry City Council, so should other cities adopt it, this would be a very proud moment for us to see it help others.”

A city-wide ambition

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, added:

“By approving this next and longer demonstrator route for Coventry Very Light Rail, we have taken a decisive step toward transforming how people move around our city. This is a bold investment in cleaner, smarter and more sustainable transport, and it shows our commitment to delivering real change for residents and businesses.

“The route to Coventry University’s Technology Park will allow us to showcase the benefits of CVLR in a live environment, proving how this innovative system can be delivered quickly, affordably and with minimal disruption. It’s an exciting moment for Coventry, and today’s decision brings us significantly closer to a transport network that reflects the ambition and ingenuity of our city.”

Looking ahead

With its combination of low-carbon operation, reduced construction impact and cost efficiency, CVLR positions Coventry as a global testbed for next-generation urban mobility — one with the potential to reshape how cities worldwide approach sustainable transport.

More information on CVLR and Coventry University’s involvement in the project can be found here:
? https://www.coventry.ac.uk/news/2025/coventry-universitys-research-centre-for-future-transport-and-cities-to-help-shape-coventrys-very-light-rail-project/