The planning application for the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) demonstrator project in Coventry city centre have been submitted.
The Planning Statement that accompanies the application makes it clear that the application is for a trial project to test out the concept and technology and will not be carrying fare paying passengers.
The demonstrator track will run from Warwick Road near the railway station to Millenium Place, a stretch of 1.5km. and will include three temporary “tram stops”. It will be built in two parts, with the first phase ending at the old IKEA building on Corporation Street.
It also includes a pre-fabricated steel depot building and “stabling area” just between the Ring Road and Eaton Road.
As the scheme is for a demonstrator project that won’t involve many vehicle movements, there is little change to the signalling at junctions. However, the roundabout at Central Six will become a signal-controlled junction and there will be a new bus gate to prevent other vehicles entering Greyfriars Road from the south.
Work to build the track is likely to start in autumn 2024 and will take 3 – 4 months. Phase II is still dependant on funding and is not likely to be constructed until 2025 – 2026.
CVLR is made up of a battery-powered vehicle and an ultra-thin track that is intended to be less disruptive than other systems. It aims to be zero emission at the point of use and cheaper than a conventional tram.
Most of the work for the scheme will take the form of road maintenance type work and the concrete slabs will be craned into place before the standard surfacing and finishing works finish, the report said.
Nine parking bays will be lost as part of the project, including four disabled parking bays on Queen Victoria Road and Corporation Street. A separate but accompanying report has already been approved by the Cabinet Member to change parking restrictions and introduce a cycle track as part of the development.
The project aims to “prove out” the manufacturing and installation process for the CVLR track and show it can be installed with “minimal” disruption to utilities and to a cost of around £10m per kilometres.
The scheme will not only provide proof of the very light rail concept but will also allow the market potential of a such a system to be fulfilled through the demonstration and sale of the concept to national and international markets.