Coventry Very Light Rail
Ends: ongoing
Last updated: 2 June 2026
What’s happening?
Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) is a new idea for trains in Coventry. It is being created to make travel cheaper, easier, and better for the environment.
The trains will run often, so people won’t have to wait long. You can hop on and off easily, just like a bus.
CVLR will work together with buses and other trains. The first route is being planned to connect important places like schools, workplaces, and the city centre. It will also link up with the main train station and bus routes to help people get around the city more easily.
Coventry City Council are now working on the next phase of the Very Light Rail project.
This part will build a short track around 800 metres long in the city centre. It will go from Coventry Railway Station to Coventry University Technology Park on Mile Lane. The rail vehicles will share the road with cars, which is an important step toward creating a new, low-cost and eco-friendly way to travel.
The City Centre Demonstrator will:
• run alongside normal traffic and work with traffic lights
• show how quickly and cheaply it can be built
• help make future routes faster to design and build
• give useful information to plan Coventry’s first full route and attract interest from across the UK and the world
Mile Lane
From Tuesday 2 June 2026 until Wednesday 20 September 2026, Mile Lane will be closed to allow for work to install new Coventry Very Light Rail innovative track.
There will be signed diversions in place for vehicles.
National Express bus routes 21 & 21 A will follow a diversion with bus stops on Mile Lane suspended for the duration of the works.
Buses will still run along Queen Isabel's Avenue with stops here still in use while these Coventry City Council works take place.
Further information on bus diversions can be found by visiting National Express Coventry.
Travel tips
You will still be able to get to where you need to go, but consider the following: