An earlier test track was built in the city centre - a second phase is now in the works
09:34, 15 Jan 2026
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Opposition councillors at Coventry City Council have flagged up concerns over the amount of disruption businesses and residents will face when the next phase of Coventry's Very Light Rail (VLR) is constructed close to the city's railway station.
There was cross-party backing at this week's (Tuesday) full council meeting for the latest 800m stretch of test track that will link the station to Coventry University Technology Park where the vehicles will travel alongside traffic.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service previously highlighted how technology meant the vehicles travelling along the new twin track section had the capability of being driverless and an autonomous service would be more attractive to the public due to it running more frequently.
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A report written by the council's director of innovation, Colin Knight, explained that consultation was ongoing but a number of councillors said they had been contacted by those living or working in the area.
Cllr John Blundell said: "Undoubtedly this is an asset for Coventry but I want to highlight a few issues that are think are important. There is no doubt that this will cause disruption to residents and businesses, particularly in the Park Road and Mile Lane area.
"My ward colleagues in Cheylesmore have raised concerns and I think it is extremely important that we actually listen to what the businesses and residents say to ensure we mitigate any disruption as far as possible. But, in principle, I agree that this is a very exciting development for Coventry and one where we are leading the technology.
His Conservative colleague Cllr Barbara Mosterman, a Cheylesmore councillor, added: "Apparently, consultation has taken place but residents and businesses are telling us that the solutions offered do not address the real problems that they will face."
Reform's Cllr Marcus Lapsa said he was pleased to hear that there would be further consultation but added: "I would like to raise serious concerns on behalf of local businesses on Park Road and the surrounding areas because they have been in touch. Residents have taken time out to canvass businesses and not one of them wanted the scheme to go ahead because of what they feel has been a lack of consultation.
"A key question repeatedly raised is whether there will be financial support for businesses threatened with closure. At present there appears to be no clear guarantee of compensation despite the real risk of prolonged disruption, reduced access and loss of customers during construction and testing."
Labour's Cllr Jim O'Boyle, the cabinet member for regeneration, jobs and climate change, said the disruption faced would be nothing compared to that suffered by those living near to the Midland Metro.
"There is clearly a lot of misunderstanding of what it is we are trying to do," he said. "It is important that we consult and work with residents and businesses. But the whole point of doing this is to limit the disruption.
"So we may close part of a road for a very short period of time but compare that to two or three years in Birmingham and the extension to the Midland Metro. When we look at what we did in Greyfriars Road, we will do it even quicker now because it has been done it already."