Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, visited Coventry on Wednesday (18 June) to view the city’s Very Light Rail project - an innovative project to create a highly affordable, accessible and sustainable rail-based travel system.
The visit was part of ‘Better Transport Week’, an annual celebration of how better transport can help connect communities and bring people together organised by Campaign for Better Transport, which this year runs from 16 to 22 June and is being funded by the UK Government. Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood said: “Coventry’s Very Light Rail project shows how innovative approaches to transport ideas can drive growth, create high-skilled jobs, and breathe new life into our towns and cities.
“Better Transport Week highlights how government backing is transforming transport, helping local economies thrive, supporting jobs, and connecting people to opportunity – all part of delivering our Plan for Change.” Simon Lightwood was joined in Coventry by Ben Plowden from Campaign for Better Transport; Councillor Jim O'Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration, and Climate Change at Coventry City Council; Nicola Small, Head of Infrastructure and Delivery for Coventry Very Light Rail; and Colin Knight, Director of Innovation at Coventry City Council.
The Minister saw how the Very Light Rail project is taking shape and took a ride on one of the lightweight electric vehicles on the 220m demonstration track between Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road. Ben Plowden, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Good public transport networks help connect us to the people we love, the things we need and the places that matter.
“Tram and light rail networks are key to an accessible, affordable, integrated and green public transport network. That’s why we were delighted to be celebrating Better Transport Week in Coventry, a city with a rich transport history and one which continues to innovate helping build a brighter transport future for its residents.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "This is a proud moment for the West Midlands, demonstrating our global leadership in transport innovation.
“This successful trial of our cutting-edge tram technology, designed and developed right here in the region, paves the way for the quick delivery of a network in Coventry and has the potential to revolutionise public transport for millions worldwide." Councillor Jim O'Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration, and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “There is no better place to celebrate Better Transport Week than in Coventry, where our innovation and manufacturing skills have enabled us to create a new very light rail system that has the potential to change how people move around small to medium sized cities.
“We were pleased to welcome Simon Lightwood to show him not only how brilliantly it works, but also to talk about the potential – that’s what is really exciting. The feedback from the public and technical representatives has been incredible. We aren’t just piloting technology; we are building confidence in a scalable model that puts climate, community, and cost-effectiveness at the heart of urban mobility.
“This system will create jobs for local people and this is just the beginning of our plans to put Coventry Very Light Rail at the heart of the growing green economy here in Coventry.” ‘Better Transport Week’ is organised by Campaign for Better Transport and runs from 16 to 22 June.
The week brings together the transport industry, national and local government, business, NGOs and passenger groups to celebrate how transport can keep us connected.
