Latest news with #VeryLightRail
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Dudley-based rail research firm bought by local council after going into administration
An organisation that has been involved in a Very Light Rail system for Coventry has been bought by a council, after going into Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), a not-for-profit research organisation, was sold to the area's council, administrators RSM UK also stated it ensured the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre, operated by BCIMO, remained Council said the authority had previously given the Black Country organisation financial support and decided to bid "to protect this investment". Council cabinet member for resources Steve Clark said as site owner, it would receive income from "existing tenants", while looking for an acquisition decision would generate income for the council, champion local innovation and support creating "high value employment opportunities", he UK said the business and assets were sold to the council and the transaction had safeguarded the centre's future and "laid the foundation for renewed investment in transport innovation".A lack of anticipated funding and rising costs had led to cash flow challenges for BCIMO, the administrators had earlier Black Country organisation came into being in 2019, which was before the council completed the building of the innovation centre in 2022, the administrators stated is like a tram, but involves single, battery-powered cars that can each transport about 50 people and do not need deep tracks to run this month, Coventry City Council said it was disappointed to hear BCIMO was in administration, but it was "business as usual for us" and the vehicle was in Alcester for the next stage of development. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Dudley rail research firm goes into administration
A not-for-profit organisation which has been involved in a Very Light Rail (VLR) system for Coventry has gone into Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO) runs what it describes as a "unique world-class centre for rail innovation."The £32m VLR centre was built with money from a range of sources, including regional enterprise partnerships and Coventry City Council and Dudley Borough Council.A lack of anticipated funding and rising costs had led to cash flow challenges for BCIMO, administrators RSM UK said. The VLR centre remained open and continued to trade during the administration period, they added, but there had been a "small number" of to sell the business and assets were being "rapidly explored," with a view to keeping the centre going and rescuing the BCIMO brand, said RSM UK."BCIMO has been responsible for the important work undertaken at the VLR centre over the last few years," stated joint administrator Deviesh parties were encouraged to come forward in the "coming days." BCIMO came into being in 2019, ahead of the centre being completed by Dudley Council in is like a tram, but involves single, battery-powered cars that can each transport about 50 people, and do not need deep tracks to run Coventry the city council is working on a new system using special weight bearing concrete slabs and vehicles specially designed for tight has been developed in partnership with BCIMO and WMG at the University of Warwick. 'Business as usual' Coventry City Council said it was disappointed to hear that BCIMO was in administration, but it would not have any impact on Coventry Very Light Rail."It is absolutely business as usual for us," said cabinet member Jim O'Boyle."Following the really successful on road trial in the city centre, the vehicle is now in Alcester for the next stage of development," said the the vehicle is worked on, an 800-metre section of track is set to be laid from the railway station to the University Technology Park, to show how it can run in live traffic. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rail system 'could transform public transport'
A light rail system currently being developed in Coventry could transform public transport in the future, officials claimed. Coventry's Very Light Rail (VLR) system has been described by the city council as like a tram but more flexible and affordable as well as being an alternative to cars. A 220m (241yd) test track has been giving free rides for the past month and West Midlands mayor Richard Parker said the trial showed the system could "revolutionise" public transport worldwide. Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood saw the VLR on a visit and said it could "drive growth, create high-skilled jobs and breathe new life" into towns and cities. Parker said it could "revolutionise public transport for millions worldwide". 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. Passengers invited to try out new rail system Rail system's first route could be to airport zone New rail system moves towards on-road tests Coventry City Council
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Coventry Very Light Rail 'could transform public transport'
A light rail system currently being developed in Coventry could transform public transport in the future, officials Very Light Rail (VLR) system has been described by the city council as like a tram but more flexible and affordable as well as being an alternative to cars.A 220m (241yd) test track has been giving free rides for the past month and West Midlands mayor Richard Parker said the trial showed the system could "revolutionise" public transport Transport Minister Simon Lightwood saw the VLR on a visit and said it could "drive growth, create high-skilled jobs and breathe new life" into towns and cities. Parker said it could "revolutionise public transport for millions worldwide". 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.
Metro
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Metro
Inside UK's new £189,000,000 revolutionary ‘very light' transport system
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The motor capital of the UK has received a transport makeover – and it's already going to be expanded. Coventry has spearheaded the Very Light Rail network, which has been described as being like a tram, but better. The vehicles, which can carry 60 passengers, are cheaper and more flexible than traditional railways, and passengers started using the vehicles last month. But it's now been announced that the project, currently in use on two streets in the city centre, is set to be expanded to six new areas. The Department for Transport has released £12million to expand the project into 'growth areas' across the city, including the Coventry Gigafactory at Coventry Airport. Speaking to CoventryLive, Cllr Jim O'Boyle said: 'Coventry passengers deserve a choice of how they travel around our city. 'Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, all of those have choice, so we should have that choice as well.' The transport system, currently in place along Queen Victoria Road and Greyfriars Road, could also expand to Coventry Railway Station, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Antsy Park, the University of Warwick, and Coventry University. The expansion should be completed by the end of next year, and it's hoped this will bring new jobs to the city centre. Local father and son Graham and Joe Dibbins are train drivers at RailAdventure UK and were among the first to drive the new vehicles. Graham said: 'It's an extraordinary feeling to be involved in such an innovative project and at the same time to be working with my son for the first time in a professional capacity as train drivers.' Joe added: 'It seems unbelievable that I am working with the one person I respect more than anyone else – my dad. The fact that Coventry Very Light Rail is so technologically advanced is simply the icing on the cake.' Cllr O'Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change at the city council, said the 'green' CVLR system will 'revolutionise transport in Coventry.' He said: 'Very Light Rail is just the beginning of our plans to revolutionise transport in our city, tackle climate change, improve air quality, and provide a reliable and accessible travel option.' The cost of construction is the first thing that sets it apart from traditional trams. The estimated cost per kilometre (0.6 miles) is £10million, compared to £30million for the same distance for tram tracks. The new track sits just under 11 inches (30cm) within the road surface, minimising expensive and time-consuming works to relocate pipes and cables. The VLR system is powered by batteries, meaning that, unlike trams, there is no need for overhead wires. The electric, very light rail system has been touted as a way to bring disused railway lines back into action. There are no definite plans to build ultra-light rail systems in London, but TfL and the London Assembly have discussed and reviewed the option over the years. Major rail operators are said to have shown interest in the very light rail systems, and further trials are planned to start in 2026. In London, the closest to the new train system is the tram network, which still runs across the southern boroughs. The history of London trams goes back to more than 200 years, but there were times it almost disappeared for good. The very light rail bears some similarity to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), a driverless train operating in London since the 1980s on a 24-mile track. DLR is a light metro train, which uses purpose-built tracks, which run mostly outdoors, connecting Canary Wharf, the City, Stratford, Lewisham and Woolwich. Whereas very light rail uses batteries, the DLR gets its power from a bottom-contact third rail system underneath the train. Self-driving vehicles are expected to be on the UK roads by 2026, the government has said, opening the door for more autonomous rail systems. More Trending The Coventry very light rail has been developed to allow autonomous operation in the future. Pedestrians, cyclists and disabled passengers will have 'sufficient provision' on the new routes when they open, the council confirmed. A version of this article was first published on May 7, 2025 Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Inside the new £2,500,000,000 Leeds tram system with airport connection MORE: Donald Trump's travel ban doesn't make sense – here's why MORE: Double decker bus roof ripped off after crashing into railway bridge in South Norwood
