We are delighted to announce that Coventry City Council (CCC) has appointed Colas Rail UK (CRUK) to deliver a 220m on road test section of the Coventry Very Light Rail project.
Led by our Urban division, our team has been tasked with installing track using innovative Coventry Very Light Rail track system technology, previously demonstrated as part of a trial by CRUK.
This award marks the first permanent installation of this strategically important and pioneering concept.
The On Road Test will provide local people and interested parties with an opportunity to ride in the vehicle and provide feedback. This concept has the potential to revolutionise the Light Rail market and make urban transport significantly more affordable for cities and larger towns.
Work commenced on the 4th of February 2025 with the initial phase due to be completed in Spring with the four-week showcase taking place in the Summer. In the long-term Coventry Council has an aspiration to develop a network across the city.
What is Very Light Rail?
The concept comprises of precast track slab panels cast using an innovative Ultra High Performing Concrete. The reduced depth of these track slabs means that the overall construction of the system is much shallower than what is usually required for typical light rail construction. A key benefit of this approach is removing the requirement for extensive excavations and large-scale highway modifications which makes the Coventry system much more affordable than current light rail systems.
Lower Carbon Emissions & Costs
The shallow depth panels also bring benefits including reduced carbon emissions during the installation works as a result of a smaller scale build with one of the key benefits being removing the requirement for costly and time-consuming buried service diversions as the slabs reduced depth do not clash with existing networks.
Image Credit: Coventry City Council
A global leader in light rail, Colas Rail has a long track record in delivering Urban rail schemes to benefit the West Midlands, renewing, upgrading and extending the Tram network on behalf of Transport for West Midlands as the principal contractor of the Midland Metro Alliance since 2016.
Speaking on the contract award, Urban Managing Director, Iain Anderson said “We are delighted Coventry City Council chose Colas Rail UK for this strategically important scheme and look forward to developing this innovative solution together.”
CCC Councillor Jim O’Boyle cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change said, “I am pleased that Colas has been appointed to deliver this really exciting stage of Very Light Rail in Coventry City Centre. We think it will be a real game changer in terms of how people move around, especially in towns and cities and it will save cash, cut carbon and eventually provide a driverless hop on and hop off option.
“It will be great to see it in the street scene and for local people to be able to actually ride on it. And of course, there is lots of interest from across the Uk and further afield so we are really looking forward to showing everyone how quickly the track can be laid – that really is the clever bit of our system.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and West Midlands Combined Authority chair, said: “This revolutionary Very Light Rail technology, in which the West Midlands is leading the way, will slash costs and accelerate construction times for tram networks – allowing us to better deliver on my vision to connect communities with more affordable and accessible public transport. We are investing millions in this project, and the start of work on this test track shows how close we are to making this a reality.”
First published: 10th March 2025