This summer, Coventry proudly hosted a major milestone in urban mobility: the successful demonstration of the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) system in the city centre.
Our mission is to deliver a tram network that’s faster to install and significantly more affordable than traditional systems — and we’re proving it. The innovative CVLR track was laid in just over eight weeks, confirming our ability to meet the target installation cost of approximately £10 million per kilometre.
The next phase of the programme is the construction of an 800-metre twin track demonstrator running from Coventry Railway Station to Coventry University Technology Park on Puma Way. This section will operate in live traffic and marks a critical step toward Coventry’s first commercial CVLR route.
The City Centre Demonstrator will:
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operate in live traffic, integrating vehicle control with Coventry’s traffic signal system
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offer public and stakeholder rides, showcasing vehicle improvements since the June 2025 On-Road Test
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demonstrate rapid installation and affordability at scale
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accelerate design and delivery processes for future routes
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inform the business case and design for Coventry’s first commercial CVLR line, while attracting national and global interest
The CCD is designed to be part of a proposed commercial CVLR line (subject to business case approval) connecting:
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Coventry Railway Station
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West Midlands Investment Zone at Coventry Airport
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Pool Meadow
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University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire (UHCW)
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Park and Ride at Ansty Park
This phase is funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and is scheduled for completion by April 2027.