Colas Rail UK for Coventry City Council Complete CVLR On Road Test Track

Pictured: A tram driving through the newly installed CVLR test track
Credit: Andrew Moore/Coventry City Council

Colas Rail UK is delighted to share that we have now completed construction on the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) on-road test track for Coventry City Council.

With construction now completed on the 220m long demonstrator track on Greyfriars and Queen Victoria Road in Coventry City Centre, this provides a proof of concept on the value engineering, sustainability and the time saving benefits of this alternative method of light rail construction compared to traditional light rail construction techniques.

*Pictured: Installation of the innovative CVLR track slab*

CVLR Project Timeline

Construction began in March 2025 with enabling works involving the removal of an existing central reservation and reconfiguration of traffic. This was followed by track slab and track installation. Work on the track was completed on programme, in mid-May, with bookings available for public. As well as several interested professionals.

*Pictured: Some interested professionals included Colas Rail UK’s Urban division who enjoyed a tram ride*

Speaking on the project’s successful delivery, Project Manager, Hamish Falconer said “It is fantastic to see this first stretch of very light rail track installed in a live environment.

“The whole team at Colas Rail UK is really proud to have been part of this historic milestone along with how quickly and accurately we delivered this section.

“We look forward to working very closely with our partners at Coventry City Council to build on this success and further develop Coventry Very Light Rail”

Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration, and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “Coventry Very Light Rail has the potential to change how people move around small to medium sized cities.

“Colas Rail showed just how quickly it can be laid and the feedback from the public and technical representatives has been incredible.

“We aren’t just piloting technology; we are building confidence in a scalable model that puts climate, community, and cost-effectiveness at the heart of urban mobility. This system will create jobs for local people, and this is just the beginning of our plans to put CVLR at the heart of the growing green economy here in Coventry.”

First published: 23rd June 2025

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