Coventry Very Light Rail
| Coventry Very Light Rail | |
|---|---|
The Coventry Very Light Rail Vehicle during a public test in 2025 | |
| Overview | |
| Owner | Coventry City Council |
| Locale | Coventry, West Midlands |
| Transit type | Tram/Light rail |
| Line number | (1 under construction) |
| Chief executive | Nick Mallinson |
| Website | www.coventry.gov.uk/coventry-light-rail |
| Operation | |
| Number of vehicles | 1 |
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Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) is a light rail/tram system under construction in Coventry. The system has been promoted as being the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. When finished, it will also be the first tram network to operate in Coventry since the closure of the Coventry Corporation Tramways system in 1940.
Plans to establish such a system were first announced during 2016; development work was headed by the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and Transport Design International (TDI). It was designed to be substantially cheaper to establish than conventional tramways and light railways, making use of batteries to avoid installing expensive overhead line equipment along much of the route, along with a new, thinner track system that is easier to lay and repair. The vehicle is standard gauge, so would be compatible with other networks in Great Britain.
During early 2018, WMG started formalising its procurement arrangements with various industrial partners to complete development and produce the vehicle. Construction of the first prototype vehicle has been completed. During 2019, it was announced that the first line of the system was planned to be operational by 2024. Further expansion of the network is intended after this point to cover various commercial, residential, and industrial districts of Coventry, as well as linking up with other transit hubs.