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 Universal Track was laid in just over eight weeks which was within our target of installation in half the time for half the cost of conventional tramways.
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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Greenpower Park
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Coventry Railway Station
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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).