Latest news with #CoventryVeryLightRail
BBC News
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Coventry Very Light Railway: Passengers invited to try new system
People can have a go on Coventry's Very Light Rail system after bookings opened for a free ride on the test rides are taking place over four weeks from the end of May and passengers will be able to travel along a 220m (241yds) stretch between Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road, the city council will be the first chance for people to experience travelling on the battery-powered vehicle, the council test vehicle can take up to 17 seated passengers and there is space for a wheelchair or pushchair. Once the system is operational, the vehicle will be able to hold 60 passengers, seated and standing. The council has described the system as like a tram but more flexible and affordable than a tram - and an alternative to Jim O'Boyle said: "Coventry Very Light Rail is just one part of our plans to revolutionise transport in our city, tackle climate change, improve air quality and provide a new reliable and accessible travel option."The free rides have been organised so people can provide feedback on the experience, the authority said with bookings able to be made online. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Two companies announced as sponsors for Dudley family day event
TWO companies have been announced as gold sponsors for a family day event in Dudley. X2 Workspaces and Neutrino Global Ltd are supporting the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO) family day on Saturday, May 17. The event is part of the Railway 200 celebrations, marking 200 years since the Stockton and Darlington Railway opened in 1825. It will be held at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC) in Dudley. The day will include stalls from businesses and organisations, fairground rides, live entertainment and a variety of food and drink options. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ride the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) vehicle along the full test track. This will take passengers through the Dudley railway tunnel and around a 15m radius loop. The event will support five charities and will be opened by Pete Waterman OBE, president of the Railway Benefit Fund. Clive Poole, director at X2 Workspaces, said: "X2 Workspaces are proud to sponsor the BCIMO family day, reflecting our own values of supporting the community and innovation. "We were delighted to be involved in the innovation centre fit out two years ago, helping to create a standout functional collaboration space and innovative interior environment. "We are equally pleased to offer continued support as a partner to the organisation following this major project, through the provision of printed signage to help promote the event." Adam Taylor, director at Neutrino, said: "We're always delighted to support the live projects at BCIMO, they're a wonderful team and are a pleasure to work alongside. "The auditorium and exhibition hall are both excellent live event spaces; they're well provisioned with core AV equipment that we can augment on occasion and they couldn't be easier to integrate with." For more information about the event, including how to become a sponsor, buy tickets, or get involved in any other capacity, visit the BCIMO family day website page.
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Coventry light rail system's first route could be to airport zone
The first route for the Coventry Very Light Rail (VLR) system could launch with a different route than originally O'Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change at Coventry City Council, said a link to an investment zone at Coventry Airport had been identified.A connection with University Hospital in Walsgrave had originally been proposed as "line one".But O'Boyle said the business case for a VLR route to the airport site made "far more sense". Other lines in the proposed network would link the city centre with Warwick University to the south-west, Coventry Arena to the north, and the hospital to the east.O'Boyle said these routes were still planned "over time", and a total of four routes had always been confirmed revising the first route was linked to efforts to spur investment at the Baginton site – an investment zone at the airport that was launched last year."We think it's prudent to factor that in and consider that as a better first route," he are hopes for thousands of jobs in battery industries to be created at the site. Test track this year The VLR transport system is a collaboration between multiple groups in the region including the council, and has been developed over the past eight the system, including a battery-powered vehicle and an ultra-thin track, has not yet been tested in a live city is set to change when a 220-metre test track is built near Coventry railway station on Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria test route would be built by spring and the vehicle would be in operation for four weeks, before more innovation took place, O'Boyle from testing must also be analysed.O'Boyle said overall timescales for delivery were out of the council's control and in the remit of the Department for Transport, but added: "Everything they ask us to do we have done and the system's passing with flying colours." This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
