Coventry very light rail

[ellspurs]

Ah the new mayor cares about as much as the previous mayor did about Coventry.

[the trainbasher]

The uncertainty continues. A lovely non committal response on the future of Coventry VLR project from the new WM Mayor yesterday
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4n19w30351o

"Speaking to BBC CWR about the Very Light Railway (VLR) system in Coventry, Mr Parker said there were "a number of stages we need to get through before we get it up-and-running".

What odds are the bookies giving?

Uncertainty, or practicality? Methinks the latter. He knows Rome wasn't built in a day.

[Sandy Lane]

Uncertainty, or practicality? Methinks the latter. He knows Rome wasn't built in a day.

I reckon its Westminster v. Birmingham politics and the release of funding by Westminster.

It was rumoured that the real reason Coventry was given the VLR system by Westminster was a political fudge to keep Coventry politicians quiet due to Coventry not being served by the new HS2 line?

[Sandy Lane]

The uncertainty continues. A lovely non committal response on the future of Coventry VLR project from the new WM Mayor yesterday
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4n19w30351o

"Speaking to BBC CWR about the Very Light Railway (VLR) system in Coventry, Mr Parker said there were "a number of stages we need to get through before we get it up-and-running".

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has instigated an 'in-depth' independent review into all transport projects in the wake of delays to major schemes.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/mayor-calls-review-transport-project-29531364

I suppose it is just a question of when the fate of Coventry VLR will be announced? A month or so after the (time consuming & expensive) independent transport review has been completed maybe? I will guess December 2024?

[j789]

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has instigated an 'in-depth' independent review into all transport projects in the wake of delays to major schemes.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/mayor-calls-review-transport-project-29531364

I suppose it is just a question of when the fate of Coventry VLR will be announced? A month or so after the (time consuming & expensive) independent transport review has been completed maybe? I will guess December 2024?

And let me guess ... this review will cost a fortune, make absolutely no difference to the travelling public of the West Midlands, and come out with recommendations that a 1 year old could have told you.

Mr Parker please actually do something that actually makes a difference rather than reviewing constant failure!

[Sandy Lane]

Update on the situation from the Coventry paper.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/latest-coventry-very-light-rail-29776481

Sounds like a decision on the VLR future may be made on 24 September 2024? Appears the council is raring to go with this project  ........ if central government can come up with the funding........  oh dear!

Extracts from the paper:
"Government officials will decide if funding for the Coventry council-led scheme will be released.

Plans to put trams back on Coventry's streets will be reviewed by experts before funding for the first city centre track is agreed. Details on the next steps for the city's 'Very Light Rail' project have been revealed in council meeting papers.

Government officials have yet to approve funding for the so-called "demonstrator" track that will test the vehicle in the city centre. They are expected to make a decision on whether to release £16.5 million next month, September 24, though this is still to be confirmed.

Their decision will come after a panel of experts examine aspects of the scheme. The independent review panel (IRP) has four experts appointed by the council after a "robust procurement process," a council report states.

It comes seven years after the scheme for an "affordable" light rail system was first put forward by the city council. The council and other West Midlands groups have since developed three test tracks and a prototype vehicle.

But last year, the project's bid for £37 million of funding from the government was not approved. Instead the Department for Transport (DfT) agreed it would go ahead instead as a research and development project.

This means money is released in stages after evidence is presented. So far, funding for stages 1 and 2 of the project have been granted, totalling some £15 million, according to the report for a council scrutiny meeting tomorrow, 21 August.

Stage 3 of the project is for a 800m demonstrator track including research, which will allow a "commercialisation strategy to be implemented," the report adds. If funding is agreed the route will go from Coventry station to Pool Meadow bus station.

The track aims to show the new rail system can be built at a cost of around £10 million per km, at speed, and allowing most utilities to stay in place. Stage 4 of the project is a business case for the first "commercial" line of the light rail, and would seek £8.5 million of funding".

[Sandy Lane]

Update on the situation from the Coventry paper.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/latest-coventry-very-light-rail-29776481

Sounds like a decision on the VLR future may be made on 24 September 2024? Appears the council is raring to go with this project  ........ if central government can come up with the funding........  oh dear!

Could be VLR decision day tomorrow if the Coventry paper is correct?

[Sandy Lane]

Could be VLR decision day tomorrow if the Coventry paper is correct?

Well the Coventry VLR has been very quiet for a while...  Now some news.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/work-starts-coventrys-very-light-31193167 

Installation work on the new test track is underway

[Sandy Lane]

WMCA photo of the very short length of test track construction site in Greyfriars Road.
https://www.wmca.org.uk/news/work-under-way-on-pioneering-coventry-very-light-rail-test-track/

"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."

The on road test will offer local people an opportunity to ride in the vehicle and provide feedback.

Not sure what the trench in the photo is for as seems to be right in the middle of the road. If it is for the VLR track it could be fun getting on and off the tram and avoiding the passing traffic?

[Isle of Stroma]

WMCA photo of the very short length of test track construction site in Greyfriars Lane.
https://www.wmca.org.uk/news/work-under-way-on-pioneering-coventry-very-light-rail-test-track/

"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."

The on road test will offer local people an opportunity to ride in the vehicle and provide feedback.

Not sure what the trench in the photo is for as seems to be right in the middle of the road. If it is for the VLR track it could be fun getting on and off the tram and avoiding the passing traffic?

That looks more like Greyfriars Road to me, which would be a more sensible option if they're planning to link the Railway Station with the centre...

[Sandy Lane]

That looks more like Greyfriars Road to me, which would be a more sensible option if they're planning to link the Railway Station with the centre...

Whoops, sorry I meant Greyfriars Road. I don't think the taxi drivers would be happy if it was going along Greyfriars Lane!
Post now corrected.

[Roy]

The following was published in Rail Business Daily today.
https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/universal-signalling-supporting-colas-rail-to-deliver-coventry-very-light-rail-demonstrator-track/

[Sandy Lane]

The following was published in Rail Business Daily today.
https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/universal-signalling-supporting-colas-rail-to-deliver-coventry-very-light-rail-demonstrator-track/

The last paragraph is interesting - "The Coventry VLR project is expected to significantly contribute to the city's efforts to decarbonise transport, tackle climate change, and improve air quality".

I thought Coventry was changing to all electric buse fleets to decarbonise transport so not sure why is VLR necessary?

[Stu]

WMCA photo of the very short length of test track construction site in Greyfriars Road.
https://www.wmca.org.uk/news/work-under-way-on-pioneering-coventry-very-light-rail-test-track/

"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."

The on road test will offer local people an opportunity to ride in the vehicle and provide feedback.

Not sure what the trench in the photo is for as seems to be right in the middle of the road. If it is for the VLR track it could be fun getting on and off the tram and avoiding the passing traffic?

From that article:

The 220 metre demonstration track is designed to show how the pioneering transport system can be delivered faster and at a much lower cost than traditional tramways. It is due to be completed ready of on road tests in the summer.

I know it says "investing millions" but I wonder how much it is costing just to build this 220 metre length of track?

[Sandy Lane]

From that article:
I know it says "investing millions" but I wonder how much it is costing just to build this 220 metre length of track?

Stu, a good question, and after a bit of searching, it seems there is an estimate by the council.
"£8.34m is therefore the budget for the city centre demonstrator element of the project"

Not sure if this is the cost of the 220 metres track or the full length from the station to the city centre? I would guess its just the 220m section?