UK’s first very light rail line given the go-ahead following grant confirmation

Image: Coventry City Council

The UK Department of Transportation on Monday confirmed a 1,03-billion-pound grant (1,23 billion euros) to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) for an upgrade of the region’s public transport options, which includes building the country’s first so-called very light rail (VLR) line in the centre of Coventry.

The eye-catching VLR project in Coventry’s city centre calls for an autonomous, high-frequency hop-on hop-off transport system. The VLR cars are fully electric and do not require deeply dug regular light rail lines. This should minimise the need to relocate underground cables and pipes and, thus, costs.

The grant money is part of a nationwide programme to improve local transport options outside London, which not only includes improvements to tram and rail networks, but also seeks new walking and cycling infrastructure, as well as upgrade public transport by bus. The government has earmarked 7 billion pounds for the plans.

Earlier this year, the WMCA board already agreed upon more than 50 preferred projects to be carried out using the money. One-such project is a new railway station at Aldridge, another is the extension of the existing Midland Metro along the Hagley Road. These and other projects will be developed over the coming years.

“From an expanded metro network and new railway stations, to more cycle routes and better electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the schemes we have agreed today will benefit every area, with improved links for communities right across the West Midlands, whilst also tackling the climate change emergency by cutting down our carbon emissions”, Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the WMCA, said back in January.

Further reading:

Author: Nick Augusteijn

Former Chief Editor of RailTech.com

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UK’s first very light rail line given the go-ahead following grant confirmation | RailTech.com

UK’s first very light rail line given the go-ahead following grant confirmation

Image: Coventry City Council

The UK Department of Transportation on Monday confirmed a 1,03-billion-pound grant (1,23 billion euros) to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) for an upgrade of the region’s public transport options, which includes building the country’s first so-called very light rail (VLR) line in the centre of Coventry.

The eye-catching VLR project in Coventry’s city centre calls for an autonomous, high-frequency hop-on hop-off transport system. The VLR cars are fully electric and do not require deeply dug regular light rail lines. This should minimise the need to relocate underground cables and pipes and, thus, costs.

The grant money is part of a nationwide programme to improve local transport options outside London, which not only includes improvements to tram and rail networks, but also seeks new walking and cycling infrastructure, as well as upgrade public transport by bus. The government has earmarked 7 billion pounds for the plans.

Earlier this year, the WMCA board already agreed upon more than 50 preferred projects to be carried out using the money. One-such project is a new railway station at Aldridge, another is the extension of the existing Midland Metro along the Hagley Road. These and other projects will be developed over the coming years.

“From an expanded metro network and new railway stations, to more cycle routes and better electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the schemes we have agreed today will benefit every area, with improved links for communities right across the West Midlands, whilst also tackling the climate change emergency by cutting down our carbon emissions”, Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the WMCA, said back in January.

Further reading:

Author: Nick Augusteijn

Former Chief Editor of RailTech.com

Add your comment

characters remaining.

Log in through one of the following social media partners to comment.