I will make sure to go and test the demonstrator out, It looks good. I agree with above that 2-3 coaches (probably wrong terminology!) articulated would be good.

I am a big believer that the destruction of our tram systems after the war was a disgraceful act of self harm, much in the same way the Beeching cuts harmed our railways, and thus industry and isolated communities.

Crazy to think we had Electric tram systems in many Cities and towns in the 1900s. Massive regression. I have read many books on the old Coventry Corporation Tramway. The Depot still stands in Foleshill, if you walk to the bottom of Smith Street, you will see that track still remains.

The excuse for closing it, damaged from Bombing. I believe they wanted them all gone to usher in the age of the car. As inconvenient as the construction may be, developing this into a network will massively help connect Coventry back together again. Massive positive in my opinion.

I also wonder if this is why they are changing the ring road junctions. Trams don't work too well on grade separated roundabouts!

 

"The NEW! Coventry Very Light Rail is here" You Tube video from mid June 2025

You Tube video The NEW! Coventry Very Light Rail is here published by Geoff Marshall on 11/06/25

EXTRACT

There's a NEW type of railway system that's on trial in Coventry City Centre. Called 'VLR' it stands for Very Light Rail, and is a cheaper, lighter and quicker to build battery Tram system that is now being tested.

I went along on the Press Day to go for a ride ... Official website, where you can book a place to ride it as well is here : https://www.coventry.gov.uk/coventry-...

Link,

KEN

 

‘Cleaner, greener and absolute reliability’: trams make UK comeback

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/07/trams-uk-light-rail-transport-chancellor

 

Seating capacity is shocking.

 

I think you’ve missed the point of this whole project.

 

Does anyone know what this trench in the road is for?
HWLR1 by Dr Pepper, on Flickr

 

It’s being left in place and monitored to see how well it handles traffic.

 

So they're starting on a new 800m section of track to link the station with Cov Uni later this year. Suspect that will be an extension of the existing track along Corporation Street to area around Pool Meadow? Not seen any info regarding this apart from the headline announcement yesterday.

 

It’s a line between the station and the Coventry Uni technocentre on Parkside, I believe, with a stop at the Automotive Design Centre. This will eventually be extended to the new development at Coventry Airport (This is what I heard someone say when I went on the tram, and it’s been mentioned in a few articles as well.)

I do remember reading that this may be linked to an event that is happening. The Coventry Telegraph is not really worth reading great days. It’s all done from an office in Birmingham these days.

 

Very Light Rail Innovation Centre operators fall into administration

Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation, who operate the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in Dudley, has fallen into administration. RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP were appointed administrators on the 1st July 2025. The Very Light Rail centre was home to the Coventry VLR...

www.railadvent.co.uk

 

No doubt a Chinese firm will come in to sweep up the IP and shut this thing down.

 

Will it even have any IP? It looks like a glorified conference centre with a test track. Very plush looking place, though.

 

For the CVLR, yes. They were just using this place to test.

 

The project continues .......

New trials for Very Light Rail and how utilities underneath will be accessed - CoventryLive New trials for Very Light Rail and how utilities will be accessed