Colas Rail UK has announced the successful completion of the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) on-road test track for Coventry City Council. This achievement marks a significant step forward for the innovative light rail project.
Construction has now concluded on the 220-metre-long demonstrator track, located on Greyfriars and Queen Victoria Road in Coventry City Centre. This completed section serves as a crucial proof of concept, highlighting the value engineering, sustainability, and time-saving benefits of this alternative method of light rail construction when compared to traditional techniques.
Work on the track commenced in March 2025 with enabling works, which included the removal of an existing central reservation and the reconfiguration of traffic flow. This was swiftly followed by the installation of the track slab and the track itself. The construction was completed on programme in mid-May, with bookings now available for both the public and interested professionals to experience the new system.
Speaking on the project’s successful delivery, Project Manager, Hamish Falconer, said: “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.”
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration, and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, added: “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.”
The completion of the CVLR on-road test track represents a tangible step towards a potentially transformative urban transport solution, showcasing a rapid and sustainable approach to light rail development.
Credit: Andrew Moore/Coventry City Council
