New rail system moves towards on-road tests

The Very Light Rail vehicle has already been tested on private tracks

On-road trials for the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) system are set to take place within months.

Councillors will be asked to approve a short stretch of trial usage on Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road in the city for a period of four weeks this spring.

A report to Coventry City Council's cabinet said the 220m (725ft) stretch would "provide an opportunity for local people, along with other interested parties, to ride on the vehicle in a controlled environment and provide feedback."

It is also aimed at showcasing the system to other interested towns and cities.

The report said a qualified operator would be brought in to manage technical and safety standards during the public trial, and that the track would be left in place after the demonstration journey as part of the final project.

It will be discussed on 7 January.

There has been a cautious approach from government towards funding the scheme, and showcasing it in the real world to "politicians, funders and stakeholders" is seen as a key step forward.

The trial system will run along Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road

According to the council, the project is gaining worldwide attention for its "innovative and cost-effective" prototype, with battery-powered vehicles and thinner track developed in the West Midlands.

It has a target cost of £10m per kilometre - much cheaper than more traditional tram systems, which the council said could reach upward of £25m per km.

Testing has so far taken place at the Warwick Manufacturing Group, part of the University of Warwick, the council's Whitley Depot and a light rail innovation centre in Dudley.