In the United Kingdom, the city of Coventry has attracted the attention of international experts with a unique transport project: the construction of Very Light Rail (VLR) – a new type of particularly light and autonomous light rail system – is well advanced. The first test runs on the newly built demonstration track are scheduled to take place this year. The aim is to create a revolutionary urban transport system that combines the advantages of classic trams with innovative vehicle and infrastructure technology – at a fraction of the usual cost.
A new approach for smaller towns
Coventry, a medium-sized city in West Midlands County with around 370,000 inhabitants, does not have a traditional tram system – but that is about to change. However, instead of relying on conventional systems like those in Birmingham or Manchester, Coventry is pursuing its own tailor-made approach: an ultra-light, modular light rail system that is cost-effective, emission-free and can be operated largely autonomously.
The project is being developed under the leadership of Coventry City Council, in collaboration with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and the University of Warwick. The British Department for Transport (DfT) is also supporting the project with several million pounds in funding.
Technical features: Lightweight, autonomous, cost-effective
The vehicle – developed by the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre – weighs around 12 tonnes, making it considerably lighter than conventional trams. It is based on a modular carbon fibre frame and is fully electric. It can carry around 50 passengers, with the option of coupling several units together. The vehicles are designed for automated operation, but will initially still be operated by drivers.
Power is supplied not via conventional overhead lines, but via inductive charging technology or ground-level conductor rails at the stops. This saves infrastructure costs and preserves the cityscape.
Infrastructure innovation: rails with asphalt foundations
Another key element of the VLR concept is the track construction method: instead of complex concrete foundations, an asphalt track bed with modular rail elements is used, which can be laid more quickly and is cheaper to maintain. According to the project developers, the infrastructure costs are expected to be only £10 million per kilometre – a fraction of the cost of traditional tram systems.
The first section of the route is to be around 4.5 kilometres long and will connect Coventry city centre with the railway station and the university campus. There are long-term plans to expand the network to up to 20 kilometres.
The most important features and advantages of the track system are:
- Preservation of existing utility lines: Unlike conventional tram tracks, which require deep concrete foundations (around 60 cm) and expensive relocation of water, electricity and telecommunications lines, CVLR tracks allow many lines to remain in the ground.
- Thin, stable track slab: The track bed is made of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), which makes it thinner yet stable enough for trams and heavy trucks. Recesses for inspection shafts can also be integrated without compromising stability.
- Easy manufacturing and installation: Thanks to its lower weight and compact design, CVLR track can be installed more quickly and easily. It can even be cut at an angle to create curves without the need for customised parts – another cost and time saving.
- Developed and tested locally: The system was developed jointly by the University of Warwick, the engineering firm Ingerop and the City of Coventry, and tested under realistic conditions (including truck loads) at the municipal Whitley Depot. Production takes place in the United Kingdom.
- Standardised components: Although the support element is innovative, the rails and fasteners are sourced from the existing railway supply market. This makes the system compatible with other trams and cost-effective to purchase.
- Prospects for regional integration: Thanks to standardisation, Transport for the West Midlands is examining whether CVLR track is also suitable for extensions to the West Midlands Metro network.
Flexible use
Although the CVLR track is optimised for the newly developed Very Light Rail vehicle, it can also be combined with larger and heavier trams. This means that the system could create new opportunities not only for Coventry itself, but also for other cities in the UK and abroad.
Why Coventry?
Coventry was a hub of the British automotive industry in the 1950s – and still suffers today from high car density, air pollution and a comparatively weak public transport system. The new VLR light rail system is not only intended to provide emission-free mobility, but also to serve as an export model for other medium-sized cities in the UK and beyond.
The aim is to create a solution that even smaller municipalities can afford – in contrast to traditional underground or tram projects, which often fail due to financial constraints.
Schedule and prospects
- 2024: Completion of the test centre in Dudley, construction of the first demonstration track
- 2025: Test runs and commissioning of the first section of track in Coventry
- 2026/27: Planned commercial launch of passenger operations
- From 2027: Scaling to other cities possible, e.g. Oxford, Cambridge or Leeds
In spring 2025, a 220 m long demonstration section of the innovative Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) was completed in the city centre – marking a significant technical milestone for the project. For the first time, the modular track system was embedded within a busy urban corridor along Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road. The track slab is made of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) and was installed quickly without the need for major interventions into existing utility infrastructure – a key advantage over conventional tram systems. Despite the complex location in the heart of the city, there were no full road closures, demonstrating the system’s minimal impact on the public realm – its so-called “Lite Footprint” approach.
The selected alignment runs through a challenging environment featuring gradients, tight curves, and dense underground infrastructure – ideal conditions for testing the real-world viability of the new technology. An integrated smart sensor system monitors the structure and provides real-time data for use in digital twins, lifecycle analysis, and predictive maintenance. This is complemented by a digital construction platform that enables immediate feedback between construction and planning teams, allowing rapid responses to unforeseen conditions, such as shallow utility lines or historic cobblestones.
Following completion of construction work in May 2025, the CVLR vehicle will now be used in the city centre for test drives and public demonstrations. The demonstrator will remain in place as a test field in the long term and will continue to be subjected to regular road traffic in order to analyse the durability and behaviour of the system under real-life conditions. The goal is to implement a scalable, cost-effective and sustainable light rail system that is supported by the British Department for Transport and developed as a model for other cities in the UK and abroad.
BCIMO, the organisation responsible for the project, has filed for bankruptcy.
The British innovation project Very Light Rail (VLR) faces an uncertain future after the non-profit Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), operator of the national VLR Innovation Centre in Dudley, was placed into external administration on 1 July 2025. The background to this move is an acute lack of long-term core funding, which led to a shortfall of approximately £1.4 to £1.7 million.
The Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC), inaugurated in 2021, includes a 2.2 km test track, laboratories, and event facilities. The project’s goal is to develop cost-effective, lightweight urban rail systems for small and medium-sized cities.
Despite the financial challenges, the centre remains operational for the time being, as insolvency practitioners from RSM UK seek investors or new operators. The commercialisation of the facility is being coordinated by Lambert Smith Hampton.
This development could significantly impact the continued progress of the VLR system, which has been conceived as an affordable alternative to conventional tram systems.
Conclusion
With Very Light Rail, Coventry is taking a bold and innovative approach – going beyond traditional concepts, but with an eye on feasibility, sustainability and cost-efficiency. The project has the potential to set new standards – especially for smaller cities that have not yet had access to modern rail-based transport solutions. If Coventry’s VLR is successful, it could develop into a British export model for the mobility of the future – if it overcomes its financial difficulties.
A technical video is available here:
